Effect of adiponectin secreted from adipose‐derived stem cells on bone‐fat balance and bone defect healing

The efficacy of adiponectin (APN) in regulating bone metabolism remains controversial. This study aimed to investigate the role of APN secreted from adipose‐derived stem cells on adipogenesis and osteogenesis. Human APN gene was transfected via recombinant adenovirus into adipose derived stem cells (ASCs) in vitro and were cocultured with bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) in using a transwell chamber. Adipogenesis was inhibited in APN‐transfected ASCs; in BMSCs, adipogenesis was inhibited, but osteogenesis was promoted in coculture with APN‐transfected ASCs. Next, the same adenovirus construct was transfected into the abdominal adipose tissue of a Sprague Dawley rat in vivo, and then a tibia defect was established in the same rat. We confirmed there was higher gene and protein expression of APN in ASCs and the abdominal adipose tissue of these rat models. Development of adipocytes in abdominal adipose tissue was suppressed, and less new bone was formed in the bone defect area. In conclusion, APN secreted from ASCs could directly inhibit adipogenesis in ASCs and BMSCs and promote osteogenesis in the latter. However, APN overexpression in adipose tissue was inversely associated with bone formation in tibia defects potentially due to decreased levels of circulating bone‐activating hormones.