The Protective Role of Fetuin-A Associated with Many Diseases

Fetuin-A is a glycoprotein formed by liver cells and is secreted into circulation in high concentration where it affects the function of many tissues. It is formed during embryogenesis. It stimulates bone remodeling It also regulates the process of osteogenesis. Fetuin-A plays a role in bone metabolism and it has various functions such as ectopic calcification inhibition. Its low level is associated with cardiovascular mortality in dialysis patients. Serum concentration of fetuin-A is directly associated with insulin resistance and dyslipidaemia because it inhibits the insulin-stimulated autophosphorylation of the insulin receptor. In muscle and fat fetuin-A leads to insulin resistance because in these tissues it binds to the insulin receptor tyrosine kinase. It increases the risk of infection by promoting the phagocytic activity of macrophages Serum fetuin-A concentration is a good indicator of liver cell function. Like C-reactive protein fetuin-A helps in the prediction of coronary conditions because it is an inflammatory biomarker.