Adiponectin: More than just another fat cell hormone?

Chandran et al comment that adipose tissue is not simply an inert storage depot for lipids but is also an important endocrine organ that plays a key role in the integration of endocrine, metabolic, and inflammatory signals for the control of energy homeostasis. Adiponectin has been postulated to play an important role in the modulation of glucose and lipid metabolism in insulin-sensitive tissues in both humans and animals. In humans, plasma levels of adiponectin are significantly lower in insulin -resistant states including type 2 diabetes and can be increased upon administration of the insulin-sensitizing thiazolidinedione class of compounds.