diet induced rise in cytokine levels and more than doubles circulating soluble gp130 (sgp130) levels (50). Circulating sgp130 is a potent inhibitor of inflammatory cytokines such as IL-6 (24).On another note, although essential for regulating platelet aggregation, excessive levels of the cytokine thromboxane A2 are associated with the development of insulin resistance and arteriosclerosis (18), and are elevated in both human and mouse models of obesity (33). However, loss of Thromboxane synthase (TBXAS), the enzyme necessary to produce thromboxane A2, markedly enhances insulin sensitivity concurrent with the up-regulation of CTRP3, as well as other adipokines (CTRP9, CTRP12) (33). CTRP3 has also demonstrated potential as a treatment for a specific inflammatory disorder, IgA nephropathy (IgAN). IgAN is a kidney disorder caused by deposits of the protein immunoglobulin A (IgA) inside the glomeruli of kidney and excessive mesangial cell activation. In patients with IgAN CTRP3 levels are significantly reduced and the cytokines IL-6 and TGF-β are elevated (86). Treatment of isolated adult human mesangial cells (HMCs) with CTRP3 reduced IL-6 and TGF-β production and inhibited HMC activation (86). Combined these data demonstrate the potential of CTRP3 in the treatment of inflammatory disorders. The summary finding of all studies examining the connection between
