Possibility of increasing cholesterol efflux by adiponectin and its receptors through the ATP binding cassette transporter A1 in HEK293T cells

► Treatment with adiponectin was associated with significantly higher levels of efflux in adiponectin receptor-1 (AdipoR1)- and AdipoR2-transfected cells. ► Reconstituted HDL-induced cholesterol efflux was enhanced in the presence of adiponectin. ► The down-regulation of adiponectin receptors using short-hairpin RNA decreased rHDL-induced cholesterol efflux with the down-regulation of ABCA1. ► Adiponectin may enhance the reverse cholesterol transport system and induce an anti-atherogenic effect.