adropin

**Adropin** is a peptide hormone naturally produced in mammals, first identified in 2008, with a primary role in the regulation of energy homeostasis, including glucose and lipid metabolism. It is highly expressed in the brain and liver and is involved in several physiological processes such as promoting glucose utilization, modulating insulin sensitivity, reducing hepatic glucose production, and improving endothelial function. Preclinical studies suggest **neuroprotective properties** of synthetic adropin, especially in limiting brain damage after ischemic stroke, and it is being explored as a potential therapy for metabolic and cardiovascular diseases, as well as for its role as a disease biomarker. The mechanism of action involves modulation of the insulin signaling pathway, activation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), inhibition of protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A), activation of the phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/AKT) and extracellular regulated kinase (ERK1/2) pathways through vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2), and effects on vascular smooth muscle cells via the Janus kinase 2/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (JAK2/STAT3) pathway[2][3][4].