EFFECTS OF ADIPONECTIN ON THE REGULATION OF OBESITY

Abstract

Obesity is a multifactorial and progressive condition, whose increasing prevalence represents a significant global public health issue, being associated with the rise of chronic metabolic diseases. The dysfunctional expansion of adipose tissue, characterized by alterations in vascularization, low-grade chronic inflammation, and imbalance in adipokine secretion, plays a central role in the pathogenesis of these comorbidities. The aim of this article is to review and examine the effects of adiponectin (ADP) in modulating obesity and its associated metabolic comorbidities. A literature review was conducted in major medical databases using the descriptors "adiponectin" and "obesity," with the Boolean operator "AND." All articles published between 2024-2025 were included in the primary analysis. Experimental studies demonstrate that ADP is capable of promoting the browning of white adipose tissue, increasing adipocyte differentiation and number, stimulating mitochondrial biogenesis, and favoring subcutaneous lipid storage, protecting against lipotoxicity in non-adipose organs. Additionally, ADP regulates macrophage polarization toward an anti-inflammatory profile and activates molecular pathways such as AMPK, PPARγ, and PI3K-AKT, which are essential for energy and immune balance. While animal models provide consistent evidence of the protective effects of adiponectin, further clinical studies are required to confirm its therapeutic applicability in humans. In this regard, adiponectin emerges as a key molecule in understanding the mechanisms linking obesity and metabolic dysfunctions, as well as a promising target for future therapeutic interventions.