ADIPOQ and Insulin resistance: It is well known that the adipose tissue is an endocrine organ with a wide, biologically active secretome [38, 39] and that the adipose tissue of obese individuals is characterized by an increased expression and/or secretion of several proinflammatory cytokines, as well as of adipokines known to promote inflammation, atherogenesis, and insulin resistance, whereas the biosynthesis of anti-inflammatory, antiatherogenic, and insulin-sensitising adipokines, such as adiponectin, is decreased [40–42].