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Adiponectin and adiponectin receptors in insulin resistance, diabetes, and the metabolic syndrome
Takashi Kadowaki, … , Kohjiro Ueki, Kazuyuki Tobe
Takashi Kadowaki, … , Kohjiro Ueki, Kazuyuki Tobe
Published July 3, 2006
Citation Information: J Clin Invest. 2006;116(7):1784-1792. https://doi.org/10.1172/JCI29126.
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Review Series

Adiponectin and adiponectin receptors in insulin resistance, diabetes, and the metabolic syndrome

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Abstract

Adiponectin is an adipokine that is specifically and abundantly expressed in adipose tissue and directly sensitizes the body to insulin. Hypoadiponectinemia, caused by interactions of genetic factors such as SNPs in the Adiponectin gene and environmental factors causing obesity, appears to play an important causal role in insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, and the metabolic syndrome, which are linked to obesity. The adiponectin receptors, AdipoR1 and AdipoR2, which mediate the antidiabetic metabolic actions of adiponectin, have been cloned and are downregulated in obesity-linked insulin resistance. Upregulation of adiponectin is a partial cause of the insulin-sensitizing and antidiabetic actions of thiazolidinediones. Therefore, adiponectin and adiponectin receptors represent potential versatile therapeutic targets to combat obesity-linked diseases characterized by insulin resistance. This Review describes the pathophysiology of adiponectin and adiponectin receptors in insulin resistance, diabetes, and the metabolic syndrome.

Authors

Takashi Kadowaki, Toshimasa Yamauchi, Naoto Kubota, Kazuo Hara, Kohjiro Ueki, Kazuyuki Tobe

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Figure 1

Adiponectin hypothesis for insulin resistance, the metabolic syndrome, and atherosclerosis.

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Adiponectin hypothesis for insulin resistance, the metabolic syndrome, a...
Reduced adiponectin levels can be caused by interactions of genetic factors such as SNP 276 in the Adiponectin gene itself and environmental factors, i.e., lifestyle changes that cause obesity, such as a high-fat diet and sedentary lifestyle. This reduction in adiponectin levels in turn appears to play an important causal role in the development of insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes (T2D), and metabolic disease, thereby indirectly causing atherosclerosis. Moreover, reduced adiponectin levels also directly play a causal role in the development of atherosclerosis.

Copyright © 2021 American Society for Clinical Investigation
ISSN: 0021-9738 (print), 1558-8238 (online)

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