Adiponectin inhibits superoxide generation by human neutrophils

Mechanism of neutrophil extracellular traps generation and their role in trophoblasts apoptosis in gestational diabetes mellitus

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a metabolic syndrome occurring in pregnant women and increases the risk of placental dysplasia. Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) may play a critical role in placental dysplasia. NETosis (neutrophil cell death by NET release) depends on NADPH/ROS pathway. In view of the adiponectin which is widely believed to be reduced in GDM patients suppresses NADPH oxidase and ROS generation of neutrophil. We speculate that increased NET release is associated with hypoadiponectinemia. Trophoblast apoptosis is significantly increased in GDM patients, but it is not clear whether NETs promotes cell apoptosis. This study aims to reveal the mechanism of Neutrophil Extracellular Traps generation and their role in trophoblast apoptosis in Gestational Diabetes Mellitus. We investigated the generation of NETs by cell-free DNA (cf-DNA) quantification, live-cell imaging, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) measurement. ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK signalling pathway proteins were detected by western blotting. The Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay, flow cytometry, and western blotting were performed to explore the effects of NETs on trophoblast apoptosis. We found that adiponectin inhibited NET release by suppressing ROS production, and p38 MAPK and ERK1/2 proteins were involved in the process. Further, NETs promoted trophoblast apoptosis by activating the ROS-dependent mitochondrial pathway, which is mediated by ERK1/2 signalling. The current study demonstrated that hypoadiponectinemia is the cause of NETs formation and NETs promoting trophoblast apoptosis.

Adiponectin ameliorates lung injury induced by intermittent hypoxia through inhibition of ROS-associated pulmonary cell apoptosis

PURPOSE

Obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome has been reported to be associated with pulmonary hypertension (PH). Adiponectin (Ad) has many protective roles in the human body, including its function as an anti-inflammatory and an anti-oxidant, as well as its role in preventing insulin resistance and atherosclerosis. This study aimed to investigate the molecular mechanism of chronic intermittent hypoxia (CIH)-induced pulmonary injury and the protective role of Ad in experimental rats.

METHODS

Thirty male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups with 10 rats in each group: normal control (NC) group, CIH group, and CIH + Ad group. Rats in the NC group were kept breathing room air for 12 weeks. Rats in the CIH group were intermittently exposed to a hypoxic environment for 8 h/day for 12 weeks. Rats in the CIH + Ad group received 10 μg Ad twice weekly via intravenous injection. After 12 weeks of CIH exposure, we detected the pulmonary function, pulmonary artery pressure, lung histology, pulmonary cell apoptosis, pulmonary artery endothelial cell apoptosis, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), and reactive oxygen species (ROS) level. We also analyzed expression proteins involved in the mitochondria-, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-, and Fas receptor-associated pulmonary apoptosis pathways, as well as the SIRT3/SOD2 pathway.

RESULTS

CIH exposure for 12 weeks did not lead to abnormal pulmonary function, PH, or pulmonary artery endothelial cell apoptosis. However, we observed a significant increase in the rate of pulmonary cell apoptosis, the expression of proteins involved in mitochondria-, ER stress-, and Fas receptor-associated pulmonary apoptosis pathways, and the generation of ROS in the CIH group compared with the NC group. In contrast, the MMP and protein expressions of SIRT3/SOD2 pathway were significantly decreased in the CIH group compared with the NC group. Ad supplementation in the CIH + Ad group partially improved these changes induced by CIH.

CONCLUSION

Even though CIH did not cause abnormal pulmonary function or PH, early lung injury was detected at the molecular level in rats exposed to CIH. Treatment with Ad ameliorated the pulmonary injury by activating the SIRT3/SOD2 pathway, reducing ROS generation, and inhibiting ROS-associated lung cell apoptosis.

Effects of Coenzyme Q10 Supplementation on Serum Adiponectin Levels: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Background:

Adiponectin, a well-known adipokine plays a number of regulatory actions in human body metabolism. Decreased levels of adiponectin have been reported in type 2 diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular diseases, metabolic syndrome and hypertension. Coenzyme Q10 (Co Q10) is a fat-soluble antioxidant substance which has been reported to be effective in several metabolic disturbances such as insulin resistance and inflammation.

Objective:

Present systematic review and meta-analysis were performed to assess the effects of CoQ10 supplementation on adiponectin serum level.

Methods:

A comprehensive search was performed in electronic databases including EMBASE, Google scholar, and PubMed up to January 2018. A meta-analysis of eligible studies was performed using random effects model to estimate pooled effect size of CoQ10 supplementation on adiponectin.

Results:

A total of 209 subjects were recruited from 5 eligible studies. Meta-analysis did not suggest any significant effect of CoQ10 supplementation on adiponectin serum level (0.240 mg/dl, 95%CI: -0.216, 0.696, P= 0.303), without significant heterogeneity between included studies (I2= 40.9%, p= 0.149).

Conclusion:

Although present meta-analysis did not indicate any significant effects of CoQ10 supplementation on serum adiponectin levels but future long-term dose-response trials are needed before any firm conclusion.

The role of adiponectin in placentation and preeclampsia

Preeclampsia is not fully understood; and few biomarkers, therapeutic targets, and therapeutic agents for its management have been identified. Original investigative findings suggest that abnormal placentation triggers preeclampsia and leads to hypertension, proteinuria, endothelial dysfunction, and inflammation, which are characteristics of the disease. Because of the regulatory roles that it plays in several metabolic processes, adiponectin has become a cytokine of interest in metabolic medicine. In this review, we have discussed the role of adiponectin in trophoblast proliferation, trophoblast differentiation, trophoblast invasion of the decidua, and decidual angiogenesis, which are the major phases of placentation. Also, we have highlighted the physiological profile of adiponectin in the course of normal pregnancy. Moreover, we have discussed the involvement of adiponectin in hypertension, endothelial dysfunction, inflammation, and proteinuria. Furthermore, we have summarized the reported relationship between the maternal serum adiponectin level and preeclampsia. The available evidence indicates that adiponectin level physiologically falls as pregnancy advances, regulates placentation, and exhibits protective effects against the symptoms of preeclampsia and that while hyperadiponectinemia is evident in normal-weight preeclamptic women, hypoadiponectinemia is evident in overweight and obese preeclamptic women. Therefore, the clinical use of adiponectin as a biomarker, therapeutic target, or therapeutic agent against the disease looks promising and should be considered.

Preactivation of neutrophils and systemic oxidative stress in dogs with hyperleptinemia

High occurrence of obesity currently constitutes the main nutritional disease of the canine species. There is evidence that leptin increases during obesity in dogs. Hyperleptinemia is associated with increased neutrophil oxidative metabolism in obese humans and contributes to oxidative stress. However, in obese dogs, the probable relationship between this condition and the activation of the oxidative metabolism of neutrophils has yet to be established. Thus, we investigated the hypothesis that neutrophil activation and systemic oxidative stress occur in dogs with hyperleptinemia. A control group of 24 healthy dogs with a body condition score (BCS) of 4-5, an overweight group of 25 dogs with a BCS of 6-7, and 27 obese dogs with a BCS of 8-9, were composed. Two subgroups were formed composed of dogs with and without hyperleptinemia, grouped according to the 95% confidence interval obtained for plasma leptin values of the control group. Changes in obesity markers (body condition score, adiponectin and plasma leptin) and plasma oxidative stress (lipid peroxidation, total antioxidant and oxidant capacities and oxidative stress index) were measured in all the dogs selected. Neutrophil oxidative metabolism was evaluated in flow cytometry by superoxide production with the probe hydroethidine and by hydrogen peroxide production with the probe 2',7'-dichlorofluorescein diacetate, with or without phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) stimulation. Apoptosis and neutrophil viability were quantified in a capillary flow cytometer using Annexin VPE, with or without camptothecin apoptosis inducing effect. Obese dogs presented higher systemic oxidative stress, hyperleptinemia and preactivated neutrophils with accelerated apoptosis. Dogs with hyperleptinemia and obese dogs presented higher neutrophil superoxide production under PMA stimulation and the presence of systemic oxidative stress compared with control. To our knowledge, this is probably the first evidence that preactivation of the oxidative metabolism of circulating neutrophils occurs in dogs with hyperleptinemia, a condition that can induce systemic oxidative stress in the canine species.

Immunometabolic Regulation of Vascular Redox State: The Role of Adipose Tissue

SIGNIFICANCE

Vascular oxidative stress plays a crucial role in atherogenesis and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Recent evidence suggests that vascular redox state is under the control of complex pathophysiological mechanisms, ranging from inflammation to obesity and insulin resistance (IR). Recent Advances: Adipose tissue (AT) is now recognized as a dynamic endocrine and paracrine organ that secretes several bioactive molecules, called adipokines. AT has recently been shown to regulate vascular redox state in both an endocrine and a paracrine manner through the secretion of adipokines, therefore providing a mechanistic link for the association between obesity, IR, inflammation, and vascular disease. Importantly, AT behaves as a sensor of cardiovascular oxidative stress, modifying its secretory profile in response to cardiovascular oxidative injury.

CRITICAL ISSUES

The present article presents an up-to-date review of the association between AT and vascular oxidative stress. We focus on the effects of individual adipokines on modulating reactive oxygen species production and scavenging in the vascular wall. In addition, we highlight how inflammation, obesity, and IR alter the biology and secretome of AT leading to a more pro-oxidant phenotype with a particular focus on the local regulatory mechanisms of perivascular AT driven by vascular oxidation.

FUTURE DIRECTIONS

The complex and dynamic biology of AT, as well as its importance in the regulation of vascular redox state, provides numerous opportunities for the development of novel, targeted treatments in the management of CVD. Therapeutic modulation of AT biology could improve vascular redox state affecting vascular disease pathogenesis. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 29, 313-336.

Obtusifolin inhibits high glucose‑induced mitochondrial apoptosis in human umbilical vein endothelial cells

DM is often accompanied by macrovascular complications. Obtusifolin, which is an anthraquinone‑based compound with antioxidant activity, is obtained from the seeds of Cassia obtusifolia. In this study, the potential effect of obtusifolin was investigated in human umbilical vein endothelial cells. The results from flow cytometry analysis revealed that pretreatment with obtusifolin depressed the production of cellular reactive oxygen species that was induced by high glucose content. Moreover, the results showed that pretreatment with obtusifolin reduced the level of malondialdehyde, as well as recovered the activities of mitochondrial complex I/III, catalase and superoxide dismutase. Furthermore, flow cytometry analysis also revealed that mitochondrial membrane potential and cell apoptosis were recovered, and inhibited by obtusifolin, respectively. The expression of X chromosome‑linked IAP was upregulated, whereas the expressions of poly ADP‑ribose polymerase and cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase‑3/9 were downregulated by the pretreatment with obtusifolin. Notably, the western blot analyses showed that the release of Omi/HtrA2 into the cytosol was prevented by the pretreatment with obtusifolin. Conclusively, it was suggested that obtusifolin may provide protection against mitochondrial apoptosis largely through inhibition of the release of Omi/HtrA2 from mitochondria into cytosol.

[Adiponectin: an endogenous molecule with anti-inflammatory and antidepressant properties?]

Adiponectin (ApN) is a hormone produced by adipose tissue, yet the plasma level of ApN is decreased in overweight and obese people, as well as in people with diabetes. In the periphery, this decrease in circulating levels of ApN induces the establishment of a chronic low-grade inflammatory state and is involved in the development of insulin resistance and atheromas. Conversely, "favorable" living conditions, weight loss and regular physical exercise increase ApN blood concentration. Some forms of ApN can reach the brain parenchyma through the cerebrospinal fluid. In the brain, the increase in ApN exerts powerful antidepressant and anxiolytic effects, in particular by fighting against neuroinflammation.

Contribution of relative leptin and adiponectin deficiencies in premature infants to chronic intermittent hypoxia: Exploring a new hypothesis

Chronic intermittent hypoxia (CIH) occurs frequently in premature infants who have apnea of prematurity. Immaturity of the respiratory network from low central respiratory drive and the greater contribution of the carotid body on baseline breathing leads to respiratory instability in premature infants presenting as apnea and periodic breathing. During the 2nd week after birth, the smallest and the youngest premature infants have increased frequency of apnea and periodic breathing and associated oxygen desaturations that can persist for weeks after birth. CIH increases the production of reactive oxygen species that causes tissue damage. Premature infants have decreased capacity to scavenge reactive oxygen species. Oxidative injury is the cause of many of the co-morbidities that are seen in premature infants. In this review we discuss who low fat mass and the resulting relative deficiencies in leptin and adiponectin could contribute to the increase frequency of oxygen desaturations that occurs days after birth in the smallest and youngest premature infants. Leptin is a central respiratory stimulant and adiponectin protects the lung from vascular leak, oxidative injury and vascular remodeling.

Adiponectin protects the rats liver against chronic intermittent hypoxia induced injury through AMP-activated protein kinase pathway

This study was performed to assess the effect of chronic intermittent hypoxia (CIH) on the liver, the associated mechanisms and the potential therapeutic roles of adiponectin (Ad). Sixty rats were randomly assigned to four groups: the normal control (NC), NC and Ad supplement (NC + Ad), CIH, and CIH and Ad supplement (CIH + Ad) groups. The rats in the CIH and CIH + Ad groups were exposed to a hypoxic environment for 4 months. Rats in the NC + Ad and CIH + Ad groups were also treated with an intravenous injection of Ad (10 ug), twice a week. The plasma levels of hepatic enzymes, serum triglyceride, liver triglyceride, fasting blood glucose and hepatic cell apoptosis in hepatic tissue, were higher in the CIH group than in the NC and NC + Ad groups. However, the Ad supplementation in the CIH + Ad group rescued the hepatic tissue insult by activating the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) pathway. In conclusion, Ad could protect against CIH-induced hepatic injury partly through the AMPK pathway.

Adiponectin protects against hyperoxic lung injury and vascular leak

Adiponectin (Ad), an adipokine exclusively secreted by the adipose tissue, has emerged as a paracrine metabolic regulator as well as a protectant against oxidative stress. Pharmacological approaches of protecting against clinical hyperoxic lung injury during oxygen therapy/treatment are limited. We have previously reported that Ad inhibits the NADPH oxidase-catalyzed formation of superoxide from molecular oxygen in human neutrophils. Based on this premise, we conducted studies to determine whether (i) exogenous Ad would protect against the hyperoxia-induced barrier dysfunction in the lung endothelial cells (ECs) in vitro, and (ii) endogenously synthesized Ad would protect against hyperoxic lung injury in wild-type (WT) and Ad-overexpressing transgenic (AdTg) mice in vivo. The results demonstrated that exogenous Ad protected against the hyperoxia-induced oxidative stress, loss of glutathione (GSH), cytoskeletal reorganization, barrier dysfunction, and leak in the lung ECs in vitro. Furthermore, the hyperoxia-induced lung injury, vascular leak, and lipid peroxidation were significantly attenuated in AdTg mice in vivo. Also, AdTg mice exhibited elevated levels of total thiols and GSH in the lungs as compared with WT mice. For the first time, our studies demonstrated that Ad protected against the hyperoxia-induced lung damage apparently through attenuation of oxidative stress and modulation of thiol-redox status.

Adiponectin protects rat myocardium against chronic intermittent hypoxia-induced injury via inhibition of endoplasmic reticulum stress

Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is associated with many cardiovascular disorders such as heart failure, hypertension, atherosclerosis, and arrhythmia and so on. Of the many associated factors, chronic intermittent hypoxia (CIH) in particular is the primary player in OSAS. To assess the effects of CIH on cardiac function secondary to OSAS, we established a model to study the effects of CIH on Wistar rats. Specifically, we examined the possible underlying cellular mechanisms of hypoxic tissue damage and the possible protective role of adiponectin against hypoxic insults. In the first treatment group, rats were exposed to CIH conditions (nadir O2, 5–6%) for 8 hours/day, for 5 weeks. Subsequent CIH-induced cardiac dysfunction was measured by echocardiograph. Compared with the normal control (NC) group, rats in the CIH-exposed group experienced elevated levels of left ventricular end-systolic dimension and left ventricular end-systolic volume and depressed levels of left ventricular ejection fraction and left ventricular fractional shortening (p<0.05). However, when adiponectin (Ad) was added in CIH + Ad group, we saw a rescue in the elevations of the aforementioned left ventricular function (p<0.05). To assess critical cardiac injury, we detected myocardial apoptosis by Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transfer-mediated dUTP nick end-labeling (TUNEL) analysis. It was showed that the apoptosis percentage in CIH group (2.948%) was significantly higher than that in NC group (0.4167%) and CIH + Ad group (1.219%) (p<0.05). Protein expressions of cleaved caspase-3, cleaved caspase-9, and cleaved-caspase-12 validated our TUNEL results (p<0.05). Mechanistically, our results demonstrated that the proteins expressed with endoplasmic reticulum stress and the expression of reactive oxygen species (ROS) were significantly elevated under CIH conditions, whereas Ad supplementation partially decreased them. Overall, our results suggested that Ad augmentation could improve CIH-induced left ventricular dysfunction and associated myocardial apoptosis by inhibition of ROS-dependent ER stress.

Systemic upregulation of NADPH oxidase in diet-induced obesity in rats

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase is upregulated in a variety of tissues in obesity. It is still unclear as to whether NADPH oxidase upregulation in a specific tissue is part of a systemic response. Here we analyzed the expression pattern of NADPH oxidase in vascular, adipose, and kidney tissues in a rat model of diet-induced obesity. After weaning, rats were fed either a normal or high-fat diet for 12 weeks. The high-fat diet resulted in 20% increased body weight. In the aorta, Nox4 expression was increased by three-fold in obese rats. Upregulations of p22phox and p47phox in adipose, and Nox4, p22phox, and p47phox in kidney were observed in obesity. Marked increases in plasma leptin and insulin were observed, with more modest changes in adiponectin in obese rats. The average systolic blood pressure in the obese group was 11 mmHg higher than that of lean rats (P < 0.005). There was a significant correlation between blood pressure and aortic Nox4 expression (P < 0.01). In cultured vascular smooth muscle cells, adiponectin reduced the expression of Nox4 in a protein kinase A-dependent manner. Our results suggest that upregulation of NADPH oxidase in multiple tissues during obesity appears to be a systemic response. At least in vitro, adiponectin may have a protective antioxidant role by suppressing vascular NADPH oxidase expression. The association between NADPH oxidase Nox4 expression in the vasculature and the elevated blood pressure in obesity requires further investigation.

Low adiponectin, high levels of apoptosis and increased peripheral blood neutrophil activity in healthy obese subjects

OBJECTIVE

Growing evidence supports a link between obesity and inflammation. Current research is focused on the role of adipokines such as adiponectin and immune cells, especially macrophages, in adipose tissue. Our aim was to examine the role of inflammation not in tissue but in the peripheral blood of healthy overweight and obese subjects. We especially investigated the role of neutrophils and their possible regulation by adiponectin.

METHODS

In healthy normal-weight, overweight, and obese human subjects (n = 32) the peripheral blood concentrations of adipokines, satiety hormones, apoptosis markers, and cytokines as well as the blood count were related to inflammation and neutrophils, at 3 independent days of examination. The response of neutrophils to stimulation by adiponectin was also investigated in vitro.

RESULTS

In obese and by tendency already in overweight subjects, inflammation was increased showing a higher neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, elevated high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, increased chemokines (CXCL8, CCL3, CCL5), increased apoptosis markers (M30 and M65), and changes in hormone levels in the peripheral blood. LPS- and fMLP-induced production of CXCL8 by neutrophils was elevated in overweight and obese subjects. High plasma levels of adiponectin were associated with reduced CXCL8 production in peripheral blood neutrophils. In vitro, production of CXCL8 by neutrophils was inhibited by adiponectin.

CONCLUSION

Reduced adiponectin and enhanced apoptosis may occur already in the peripheral blood of healthy overweight subjects. This process seems to further enhance neutrophil activity in overweight and obese.

Adiponectin and its globular fragment differentially modulate the oxidative burst of primary human phagocytes

Adiponectin (Acrp30) belongs to the family of C1q/tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα)-related proteins. Acrp30 circulates as multimers of high, middle, and low molecular weight. In this study, we detected Acrp30 and its globular fragment (gAcrp30) in synovial fluid from rheumatoid arthritis patients. Intriguingly, the LMW form was more abundant in synovial fluid than in serum from both rheumatoid arthritis patients and healthy subjects. We also investigated the effects of Acrp30 and gAcrp30 on reactive oxygen species (ROS) production via the phagocytic NADPH oxidase. Acrp30 inhibited fMLF-induced ROS production by human phagocytes, whereas gAcrp30 enhanced it. gAcrp30's effect is additive with TNFα, whereas Acrp30 inhibited TNFα-induced priming. gAcrp30 enhanced NOX-2 expression at the plasma membrane, with a concomitant increase in p47(phox) phosphorylation. Selective inhibitors of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1 (ERK1)/2 abrogated p47(phox) phosphorylation by gAcrp30. In contrast, p47(phox) phosphorylation was inhibited by Acrp30 in association with increased AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) phosphorylation in phagocytes. These results suggest that human phagocyte ROS production is regulated by different mechanisms selective for Acrp30 versus gAcrp30. An imbalance between gAcrp30 and higher molecular weight isoforms of Acrp30 might contribute to chronic inflammation by regulating NADPH oxidase.

Clinical review: adiponectin biology and its role in inflammation and critical illness

Adiponectin is an adipokine first described just over a decade ago. Produced almost exclusively by adipocytes, adiponectin circulates in high concentrations in human plasma. Research into this hormone has revealed it to have insulin-sensitizing, anti-inflammatory and cardioprotective roles. This review discusses the history, biology and physiological role of adiponectin and explores its role in disease, with specific focus on adiponectin in inflammation and sepsis. It appears that an inverse relationship exists between adiponectin and inflammatory cytokines. Low levels of adiponectin have been found in critically ill patients, although data are limited in human subjects at this stage. The role of adiponectin in systemic inflammation and critical illness is not well defined. Early data suggest that plasma levels of adiponectin are decreased in critical illness. Whether this is a result of the disease process itself or whether patients with lower levels of this hormone are more susceptible to developing a critical illness is not known. This observation of lower adiponectin levels then raises the possibility of therapeutic options to increase circulating adiponectin levels. The various options for modulation of serum adiponectin (recombinant adiponectin, thiazolidinediones) are discussed.

The aporphine alkaloid boldine induces adiponectin expression and regulation in 3T3-L1 cells

Adiponectin is an adipokine secreted by differentiated adipocytes. Clinical studies suggest a negative correlation between oxidative stress and adiponectin levels in patients with metabolic syndrome or cardiovascular disease. Natural compounds that can prevent oxidative stress mediated inhibition of adiponectin may be potentially therapeutic. Boldine, an aporphine alkaloid abundant in the medicinal plant Peumus boldus, is a powerful antioxidant. The current study demonstrates the effects of boldine on the expression of adiponectin and its regulators, CCAAT/enhancer binding protein-alpha (C/EBPalpha) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-gamma, in 3T3-L1 cells. Differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes were exposed to either hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) (100 microM) or tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFalpha) (1 ng/mL) for 24 hours in the presence or absence of increasing concentrations of boldine (5-100 microM). Quantitative polymerase chain reaction showed that both the oxidants decreased the mRNA levels of adiponectin, PPARgamma, and C/EBPalpha to half of the control levels. Boldine, at all concentrations, counteracted the inhibitory effect of H(2)O(2) or TNFalpha and increased the expression of adiponectin and its regulators. The effect of boldine on adiponectin expression was biphasic, with the lower concentrations (5-25 microM) having a larger inductive effect compared to higher concentrations (50-100 microM). Boldine treatment alone in the absence of H(2)O(2) or TNFalpha was also able to induce adiponectin at the inductive phase of adipogenesis. Peroxisome proliferator response element-luciferase promoter transactivity analysis showed that boldine interacts with the PPAR response element and could potentially modulate PPAR responsive genes. Our results indicate that boldine is able to modulate the expression of adiponectin and its regulators in 3T3-L1 cells and has the potential to be beneficial in obesity-related cardiovascular disease.