Adiponectin is a collagen-like protein that is solely secreted by adipocytes. Different
studies showed that it plays an important role in the pathophysiology of insulin resistance,
diabetes and dyslipidemia and thus affects risk for cardiovascular disease and obesity. In the
present study the role of adiponectin in pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes mellitus was evaluated.
The current study was carried on 51 diabetic patients with documented NIDDM and 22 age and
sex matched healthy controls. Diabetic patients were subdivided into 2 subgroups according to
BMI where 40 were obese and 11 were non obese and according to the presence of
cardiovascular disease with obesity where 16 were obese with CVD and 24 were obese with no
CVD. Controls were subdivided according to BMI where 7 were non obese and 15 were obese.
The levels of plasma adiponectin, insulin, c-peptide, fasting blood glucose, glycated
hemoglobin, lipid profile, NO and lipid peroxides. The results of the present study showed that
adiponectin was significantly lower in all groups with variations compared to controls, in obese
patients with CVD than those without CVD. NO and MDA levels were higher in diabetic
patients than in controls and the highest levels of MDA were observed in patients with
cardiovascular disease. Lipid profile was altered in diabetic patients showing higher levels than
in controls. In the diabetic patients, adiponectin was significantly positively correlated with NO
and HDL, while it was significantly negatively correlated with glucose, HbA1C, Cholesterol, 
LDL, insulin and c-peptide. The ability of adiponectin to increase insulin sensitivity in
conjunction with its anti-inflammatory and anti-atherogenic properties have made this novel
adipocytokine a promising therapeutic tool for the future.