Adiponectin and its protective effects

Abstract

Adiponectin (also referred to as GBP-28, apM1, AdipoQ and Acrp30) is one of the adipocytokines that is secreted by the white adipose tissue and is an important regulator of lipid and glucose metabolism. It is an insulin-sensitizing hormone with anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, anti-atherogenic and anti-proliferative properties. It was demonstrated that decreased serum adiponectin levels are associated with insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. Furthermore, hypoadiponectinemia was shown to be associated with coronary artery disease. Several authors point out that high levels of circulating adiponectin reduce risk of coronary heart disease among type 2 diabetes patients. Adiponectin has also been shown to play an important role in the regulation of cell proliferation and tumorigenesis. Adiponectin, via its cognate receptors AdipoR1 and AdipoR2, inhibits cancer cell proliferation in vitro and supressess obesity-associated tumor growth in vivo (e.g. colorectal, gastric, liver, and breast cancer). Therefore, potential diagnostic and therapeutic usage of adiponectin has been subject of an increasing interest in recent years.