Adiponectin Functionality in Metabolic Disorders
Summary
Adiponectin is a peptide hormone secreted primarily by adipocytes that plays a crucial role in energy homeostasis, glucose regulation and lipid metabolism. Circulating levels of adiponectin are inversely related to adiposity and are markedly reduced in obesity, insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. Its biological effects are mediated through two receptors, AdipoR1 and AdipoR2, which activate downstream pathways including AMP-activated protein kinase, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α and anti-inflammatory cascades. High-molecular-weight multimers are thought to be the most bioactive forms responsible for enhancing insulin sensitivity, improving endothelial function and inhibiting atherogenesis. Dysregulation of adiponectin production or multimer assembly is implicated in the pathogenesis of metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease. Recent experimental and clinical studies have also revealed roles for adiponectin signalling in non-metabolic tissues, underscoring its potential as a multifaceted therapeutic target.
Research from Nature Portfolio
Recent work has explored the intersection of adiponectin signalling and neurocognitive outcomes in experimental models of type 2 diabetes. In one study employing high-intensity interval training on diabetic rats, sex-dependent differences emerged in the hippocampal expression of adiponectin receptor 1 and downstream effectors such as AMP-activated protein kinase. Female rats exhibited higher basal adiponectin and AdipoR1 levels following diabetes induction, yet training elicited more pronounced improvements in cognitive markers in males, linked to modulation of Tau and amyloid-β pathways. These findings suggest that adiponectin receptor expression may underlie sex-specific responses to metabolic stress and exercise, opening avenues for tailored interventions that harness adiponectin-mediated neuroprotection in diabetes.
Adiponectin Functionality in Metabolic Disorders publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in adiponectin functionality in metabolic disorders across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Adiponectin: An adipocyte-derived hormone that modulates insulin sensitivity, lipid metabolism and inflammation.
AdipoR1 (Adiponectin receptor 1): A cell-surface receptor that activates AMP-activated protein kinase and mediates adiponectin signalling.
AMP-activated Protein Kinase (AMPK): A key energy sensor that regulates glucose uptake and fatty acid oxidation in response to hormonal stimuli.
Metabolic Syndrome: A cluster of conditions including insulin resistance, dyslipidaemia and hypertension that increase cardiovascular risk.
High-Molecular-Weight (HMW) Multimer: The bioactive form of adiponectin composed of 12–18 subunits, essential for its metabolic effects.
References
- Beneficial Effects of Adiponectin on Glucose and Lipid Metabolism and Atherosclerotic Progression: Mechanisms and Perspectives. International Journal of Molecular Sciences (2019).
- Adiponectin receptor 1 could explain the sex differences in molecular basis of cognitive improvements induced by exercise training in type 2 diabetic rats. Scientific Reports (2023).
- Serum Levels of Adiponectin Are Strongly Associated with Lipoprotein Subclasses in Healthy Volunteers but Not in Patients with Metabolic Syndrome. International Journal of Molecular Sciences (2024).
- Emerging Role of Adiponectin/AdipoRs Signaling in Choroidal Neovascularization, Age-Related Macular Degeneration, and Diabetic Retinopathy. Biomolecules (2023).
- Adiponectin Stimulates Angiogenesis by Promoting Cross-talk between AMP-activated Protein Kinase and Akt Signaling in Endothelial Cells*. Journal of Biological Chemistry (2003).
- Relationships of adiponectin to regional adiposity, insulin sensitivity, serum lipids, and inflammatory markers in sedentary and endurance-trained Japanese young women. Frontiers in Endocrinology (2023).
About these summaries
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