OBJECTIVE— Adiponectin increases insulin sensitivity and contributes to insulin's indirect effects on hepatic glucose production.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS— To examine adiponectin's contribution to insulin action, we analyzed adiponectin levels and activation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) in insulin receptor transgenic/knockout mice (L1), a genetic model of resistance to insulin's indirect effects on hepatic glucose production.

RESULTS— In euglycemic, insulin-resistant L1 mice, we detected hyperadiponectinemia with normal levels of adiponectin receptor-1 and -2. Moreover, adiponectin administration is unable to lower glucose levels or induce activation of AMPK, consistent with a state of adiponectin resistance. In a subset of hyperglycemic L1 mice, we observed decreased mRNA expression of AdipoR2 in liver and muscle, as well as decreased peroxisome proliferator–activated receptor (PPAR)α target gene expression in liver, raising the possibility that deterioration of adiponectin/AdipoR2 signaling via PPARα activation contributes to the progression from compensated insulin resistance to diabetes. In contrast, we failed to detect changes in other markers of the systemic or local inflammatory response.

CONCLUSIONS— These data provide evidence for a mechanism of adiponectin resistance and corroborate the notion that adiponectin potentiates hepatic insulin sensitivity.