What is Adiponectin?

Adiponectin is a protein hormone that is produced in the fat cells of the human body. This hormone is known to have properties that impact the regulation of glucose in the blood as well as play a role in the processing of fatty acids in the blood stream. Generally, adiponectin levels tend to be prominent in blood plasma. However, obesity may actually cause those levels to decrease.

While the study of the functions of human adiponectin are ongoing, modern research has revealed several interesting facts about this hormone. Women on average tend to have higher levels within the bloodstream than men. The reason for this phenomenon is not fully understood, although there is speculation that the hormones responsible for primary and secondary gender attributes may inhibit the production of adiponectin in men.

Diabetics tend to have lower levels of adiponectin in the blood than individuals who are not diabetic. This has led many in the medical field to determine that this particular protein hormone has properties that can help to maintain healthy levels of blood glucose. The protein hormone may also have something to do with the proper production and assimilation of insulin in the body.

Another observation about adiponectin is that this hormone works in tandem with leptin to help regulate body weight. The function of the two hormones combined appear to enhance communication to and from the brain, allowing the individual to know when enough food has been consumed. At present, it is not known if this effect can only take place due to the combined action, or if each hormone can produce the same result independently. What is known is that losing excess body weight can help stimulate the production of this hormone significantly.

As part of the function of the hormone, adiponectin has the ability to bind to different receptors. Currently, science has isolated two of these receptors, referring to them as adiponectin receptors one and two. Each of these receptors seem to focus on different functions in the body, such as helping the body assimilate carbohydrates properly and speeding or slowing body metabolism.

While modern science has confirmed that adiponectin is secreted from adipose tissue into the bloodstream and that the hormone has several beneficial effects on the body, there is still much to learn about how this hormone works with other hormones to maintain general health. Research is ongoing, with hopes of one day producing synthetic versions of this hormone as a means of helping to regulate blood sugar levels in diabetics as well as aid in accomplishing weight loss in the morbidly obese.