Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 4, 2026

Differentiated Mouse Adipocytes in Primary Culture: A Model of Insulin Resistance
Published on: February 17, 2023
Elevated levels of high-molecular-weight adiponectin in type 1 diabetes
Henrik Leth1, Kristian K Andersen, Jan Frystyk
1The Medical Research Laboratories, Clinical Institute, Aarhus University Hospital, Nørrebrogade 44, DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark.
Background:
Several studies have shown that type 1 diabetic patients have elevated total levels of the adipocyte-derived adipocytokine adiponectin. However, adiponectin circulates in three different subforms, and the high-molecular-weight (HMW) subform is believed to be the primary biologically active form. The effects of the medium-molecular-weight (MMW) subform and the low-molecular-weight (LMW) subform are still unresolved.
Purpose:
The objective of the study was to investigate the distribution of the three molecular subforms of adiponectin in well-characterized groups of type 1 diabetics with varying degrees of nephropathy as well as in healthy control subjects.
Study Population:
Two hundred seven individuals were included: 58 type 1 diabetics with normoalbuminuria, 46 with microalbuminuria, 46 with macroalbuminuria, and 57 matched controls.
Methods:
The HMW, MMW, and LMW subforms were measured using a validated in-house time-resolved immunoflourometric assay after separation by fast protein liquid chromatography.
Results:
The absolute concentrations of total adiponectin and all subforms were higher in type 1 diabetic patients than healthy controls. However, the relative HMW fraction was up-regulated in type 1 diabetes (P < 0.001), whereas the MMW (P < 0.001) and LMW fractions (P < 0.05) were down-regulated, compared with controls. Accordingly, the increase in concentration of total adiponectin was primarily caused by a major increase of the HMW subform. Levels of total adiponectin and the HMW subform (absolute and relative) were generally unaffected by nephropathy status defined by urinary albumin excretion rate.
Conclusion:
Type 1 diabetes per se is associated with higher adiponectin levels than healthy subjects. This increase is mainly explained by an elevation in the HMW subform. The elevation is unaffected by gender and diabetic kidney disease.
More Related Videos
10:28Isolation, Expansion, and Adipogenic Induction of CD34+CD31+ Endothelial Cells from Human Omental and Subcutaneous Adipose Tissue
Published on: July 17, 2018
09:20An Adipocyte Cell Culture Model to Study the Impact of Protein and Micro-RNA Modulation on Adipocyte Function
Published on: May 4, 2021
Related Concept Videos
Type I Diabetes II: Pathophysiology
Type I Diabetes III: Clinical Manifestations
Type II Diabetes II: Pathophysiology
Type I Diabetes I: Introduction
Type II Diabetes I: Introduction
Diabetes Mellitus: Overview and Type I Subtype
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. As a result, the body is unable to produce sufficient insulin, and individuals with...