Cardioprotective Actions of Adiponectin

Abstract

Adiponectin is a fat-derived hormone, which is downregulated in subjects with obesity-related complications. A number of experimental studies have shown that adiponectin has anti-diabetic and anti-inflammatory characteristics and that adiponectin exerts beneficial effects on the development of insulin resistance and atherosclerosis. Recent experimental findings have shown that adiponectin directly modulates the signalling in the heart and plays a protective role in the development of obesity-linked heart diseases. This article focuses on the beneficial actions of adiponectin on various pathological heart conditions.