What is adiponectin?

Article Outline

• Copyright

Adipose tissue has often been thought to be a passive storage depot for fat. How then does being overweight have such a broad influence on adverse health outcomes? The answer to that question is not completely known, but it is clear that adipose tissue is metabolically active and expresses cytokines. One of these cytokines is adiponectin. Serum levels of adiponectin are decreased in obesity and low levels of adiponectin are associated with insulin resistance, Type 2 diabetes, dyslipidemia and blood pressure elevation. Higher serum levels of adiponectin appear to be protective against these and other adverse outcomes.

For these reasons, it is important to learn more about the biology of adiponectin. Lanes et al report on a study of adiponectin and growth hormone deficiency. They found that growth hormone deficiency is associated with low levels of adiponectin and unfavorable levels of lipids and lipoproteins. Treatment with growth hormone appears to improve these abnormalities. These results establish intriguing links among growth hormone deficiency, deposition of visceral fat, adiponectin and insulin resistance.