Roles of Adiponectin in Acute Kidney Injury

Adiponectin (APN) is an adipokine shown to have potent antiobesity, antiatherosclerotic, suppression of macrophage-to-foam cell transformation, and inhibition of proinflammatory cytokines. Studies have revealed that plasma concentration of APN is approximately three times higher in patients with end-stage kidney disease than in healthy people. However, low plasma levels of the hormone have been shown to elicit a protective effect against inflammation in animal models of ischemia/reperfusion-induced acute renal failure. This review summarizes the possible molecular signaling pathways involved in the effects of APN accumulation in the circulation on acute kidney injury in humans and in rodents.