This interesting study using a unique mouse model was conducted to investigate adiponectin-mediated changes in metabolism in vivo. For that purpose, transgenic mice were developed to specifically express the gene coding for human adiponectin in mouse macrophages. The results showed that macrophage-produced adiponectin induced favourable changes in multiple metabolic pathways in adipose and skeletal muscle tissues resulting in enhanced whole-body glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity with reduced proinflammatory cytokines. Moreover, the adiponectin expression was associated with reduced whole-body weight and fat mass as well as decrease cholesterol and triglyceride accumulation in the macrophages. In addition, it was also reported that macrophage foam cell formation in atherosclerotic lesions was significantly reduced in transgenic mice crossed with an LDL receptor-deficient mouse model. These observations suggest that adiponectin has important roles in several metabolic pathways with antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory and antiatherogenic functions. This study presents a new and innovative way to investigate the in vivo functions of adiponectin.
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