Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 13, 2026

Measuring the Rate of Lipolysis in Ex Vivo Murine Adipose Tissue and Primary Preadipocytes Differentiated In Vitro
Published on: March 17, 2023
Lower total fasting plasma adiponectin concentrations are associated with higher metabolic rates
Nicola Pannacciulli1, Joy C Bunt, Emilio Ortega
1Obesity and Diabetes Clinical Research Section, Phoenix Epidemiology and Clinical Research Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, NIH/DHHS, 4212 North 16th Street, Phoenix, AZ 85016, USA. nicolap@mail.nih.gov
Context:
The possible role of adiponectin, a protein uniquely produced by the adipose tissue and significantly reduced in obesity and other insulin-resistant states, in the regulation of energy expenditure (EE) is still poorly understood.
Objective:
The objective of the study was to investigate the relationship between total fasting plasma adiponectin concentrations and the various components of EE measured in a metabolic chamber in Pima Indians and to test whether body fat distribution may have a role in this association.
Design:
This was a cross-sectional study.
Setting:
The study was an inpatient clinical research unit.
Participants:
Sixty nondiabetic Pima Indians (45 males and 15 females), aged 18-45 yr, spanning a wide range of adiposity (body mass index 19.6-46.2 kg/m(2)) participated in the study.
Main Outcome Measures:
Total fasting plasma adiponectin concentrations, EE (24-h respiratory chamber), insulin sensitivity (euglycemic-hyperisulinemic clamp), body composition (dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry), and body fat distribution (waist to thigh ratio) were the main outcome measures.
Results:
Total fasting plasma adiponectin concentrations are negatively associated with sleep EE adjusted for sex, age, fat-free mass, and fat mass. This correlation is still significant, although attenuated, after inclusion of insulin-stimulated glucose disposal among the regressors and further attenuated when adjusted also for waist to thigh ratio.
Conclusions:
The decrease in total fasting plasma adiponectin concentrations that accompanies fat accumulation may be a mechanism to prevent further weight gain by decreasing insulin sensitivity and increasing energy expenditure.
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