What is adiponectin?
Adiponectin (as GBP-28, apM1, ADIPOQ and Acrp30 hereinafter) is a peptide hormone that is produced in the fat cells in humans and in animals. It regulates together with other adipokines (Fettgewebshormone) as leptin and insulin and other hormones, hunger and food intake. Modulating the action of insulin on the fat cells.
Structure
Adiponectin consists of 244 amino acids and forms trimers, hexamers, or 12-18-mers. It is constructed similar to collagen and contains the subunits 'collage-like' (66 aa) and complement factor C1q (107 aa).
Regulation and effects
If the fat cells full, little Adiponectin is produced. If they are empty, the production is increased. Obese have low adiponectin levels, which attenuates the effects of insulin.
Low levels of adiponectin increased interaction with genetic factors, the risk of diabetes mellitus and at the same time often results in long before the discovery of diabetes to vascular damage. People with a high adiponectin are protected from diabetes.
In animal studies, the reduction of fat is accelerated at high doses of adiponectin. Women with increased plasma levels of adiponectin have an increased risk of developing dementia.