This study by Devaraj et al. provided new data by showing that C-reactive protein (CRP) synthesis and secretion from human aortic endothelial cells (HAECs) increase under hyperglycemia and that pre-treatment with adiponectin significantly downregulates synthesis and secretion of CRP from HAECs. The authors sought to test the hypothesis that adiponectin reduces CRP synthesis and secretion in HAECs under normoglycemic (5.5 mmol/l glucose) and hyperglycemic conditions (15 mmol/l glucose). In addition to the growing anti-atherogenic and anti-diabetic properties of adiponectin, this study provided novel evidence that adiponectin abrogates hyperglycemic-induced CRP synthesis and secretion via upregulation of AMPK and downregulation of NFkappaB. Therefore, these observations suggest that adiponectin upregulation could help modulate the proinflammatory/prothrombotic effects of CRP. The article was accompanied by an editorial by Ouchi et al., which underlined the relevance of the study by Devaraj et al. The editorial suggested that the study expands our knowledge of the anti-inflammatory actions of adiponectin and provides an additional mechanistic link between obesity and vascular inflammation. It also suggested that further clarification of the anti-inflammatory action of adiponectin, which involves a variety of poorly defined mechanisms, may lead to the identification of new roles for this adipokine.
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