Adiponectin: Saving the starved and the overfed

Summary The incidence of the metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes and cardio- and cerebrovascular disease is increasing in the Western world. The adipocyte derived protein adiponectin is thought to have a protective role against these conditions. But why is it so? Is it reasonable to believe that we have adiponectin to gain protection from welfare related diseases? Humans have had a far deadlier foe throughout history than obesity and sedentariness and that is starvation. During starvation, the body is catabolic in order to provide fuel. Catabolism is also seen in patients with advanced cardiac or renal failure, type 1 diabetes and anorexia. These subjects have higher adiponectin levels than controls. In this article, I will put forward the hypothesis that the adiponectin system evolved in order to help us to survive periods of malnourishment.