ADIPOQ and obesity due to melanocortin 4 receptor deficiency: The functions of adiponectin have been the focus of recent attention because accumulating evidence has shown that there are close relationships between circulating adiponectin levels and a variety of lifestyle-related diseases, including obesity, coronary artery disease, type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome, and adiponectin exhibits insulin-sensitizing, anti-diabetic and anti-atherogenic activities [4].