Adiponectin (15-36) stimulates steroidogenic acute regulatory (StAR) protein expression and cortisol production in human adrenocortical cells: Role of AMPK and MAPK kinase pathways

► Adiponectin receptors are expressed in human adrenocortical (H295R) cells. ► Adiponectin increases StAR protein expression and cortisol secretion. ► Adiponectin induces increase in expression of key steroidogenic genes. ► Adiponectin induces activation of ERK1/2 and AMPK kinase in H295R cells. ► AMPK and ERK inhibitions result in reduction of adiponectin-mediated StAR expression.