Adiponectin [ADPN/1370]

This MAb reacts with adiponectin, an adipocytokine. Adipocytokines are hormones produced in adipose tissue. Adiponectin is abundantly present in plasma and has insulin like effect on glucose levels in the blood. Plasma adiponectin levels are low in insulin resistant patients who are obese, have diabetes mellitus type 2 or HIV-lipodystrophy. In women adiponectin levels tend to be higher than in men, which may be due to androgens suppressing adiponectin levels. Furthermore adiponectin and leptin are both indicated in regulating body weight through direct action on the hypothalamus, influencing appetite. Obese people have low adiponectin levels while levels in anorexia patients are high. Adiponectin acts as ligand for various receptors, two of which have been identified, one probably involved in carbohydrate assimilation, the other in tuning the rate of metabolism.