Hypoadiponectinemia Is Closely Associated With Nonalcoholic Hepatic Steatosis in Obese Subjects
- Giovanni Targher, MD,
- Lorenzo Bertolini, MD and
- Luciano Zenari, MD
- From the Diabetes Unit, Sacro Cuore Hospital, Negrar, Italy
- Address correspondence to Giovanni Targher, MD, Diabetes Unit, Ospedale “Sacro Cuore,” Via Sempreboni, 5, 37024 Negrar (VR), Italy. E-mail: targher{at}sacrocuore.it
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is a clinicopathological syndrome that is closely associated with obesity and other metabolic syndrome features (1).
Recent research has shown that adiponectin is a novel adipocyte-derived hormone with antidiabetic and antiatherogenic properties (2). In humans, plasma adiponectin levels are significantly lower in insulin-resistant states (2), thus suggesting that this adipocytokine is an important marker of the metabolic syndrome. Administration of adiponectin to mice has been shown to produce beneficial effects on glucose metabolism (2). Furthermore, administration of this protein was also effective in ameliorating liver biopsy features and liver test results in ob/ob mice (3). Accordingly, after controlling for age, sex, and …
