Adiponectin: An Adipokine with Multiple Faces

Adipose tissue has long been considered as an “organ” of energy storage but it is also capable of synthesizing and releasing various factors called adipokines, such as adiponectin. Adiponectin is the most abundant adipose tissue transcript that displays insulin sensitizing and anti-inflammatory properties. The complexity of adiponectin multi-functionality is illustrated in kidney diseases, where plasma hormone levels predict fatal issue, despite its antiinflammatory, anti-atherogenic, and insulin-sensitizing properties. This is also highlighted in severe forms of insulin resistance in patients with receptor dysfunction who present elevated adiponectinemia, whereas patients with common form of insulin resistance have low adiponectin levels. Finally, the role of adiponectin in carcinogenesis and in other physiological and pathological contexts is described.