Adiponectin expression and metabolic markers in obesity and Type 2 diabetes

International audienceBackground: Adiponectin has emerged over the last decade as a key adipokine linking obesity, insulin resistance, and Type 2 diabetes. However, the molecular mechanisms controlling adiponectin expression in adipose tissue are not fully elucidated. Furthermore, increasing evidence indicates that peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPAR-gamma) plays an important, and beneficial, role in modulating adiponectin expression. Aim: The aim of the present study was to assess the separate role of obesity and Type 2 diabetes in the relationship between endogenous PPAR-gamma signaling and adiponectin expression in subcutaneous adipose tissue. Subjects and methods: Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and real time quantitative PCR analysis were carried out in overweight, obese, and/or diabetic Tunisian patients who underwent an abdominal surgery. Results: These results collectively indicate that circulating levels of adiponectin were decreased in all over-weight, obese, and/or diabetic (p<0.001). However, the subcutaneous mRNA expression of adiponectin was reduced only in diabetics (p