title: Adiponectin and insulin cross talk: the microvascular connection.
abstract: Adiponectin exerts both vasodilatory and insulin-sensitizing actions and its levels are decreased in insulin-resistant humans and animals. The mechanisms underlying adiponectin׳s insulin-sensitizing effect have been extensively investigated but remain largely unclear. Muscle microvasculature critically regulates muscle insulin action by modulating insulin delivery to the microvessels nurturing the muscle cells and the trans-endothelial insulin transport. We have recently reported that adiponectin exerts its insulin-sensitizing effect via recruiting muscle microvasculature, expanding the endothelial surface area, and increasing insulin delivery to and thus action in muscle. The current review focuses on the microvascular connection between the adiponectin and insulin cross talk.
authors.affiliation: Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, University of Virginia Health System, PO Box 801410, Charlottesville, VA 22908.
authors.forename: Lina
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.affiliation: Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, University of Virginia Health System, PO Box 801410, Charlottesville, VA 22908.
authors.forename: Zhuo
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Fu
authors.affiliation: Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, University of Virginia Health System, PO Box 801410, Charlottesville, VA 22908. Electronic address: zl3e@virginia.edu.
authors.forename: Zhenqi
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Liu
mesh_terms: D052242:Adiponectin / Q000502:physiology*; D001808:Blood Vessels / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000378:metabolism*; D007333:Insulin Resistance / Q000502:physiology; D020239:Receptor Cross-Talk / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D052242:Adiponectin; D007328:Insulin