ADIPOQ and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: Although there were controversial reports [73, 74], most of the evidence supported that reduced adiponectin level is associated with increased morbidity and mortality in critical care patients, lung transplantation, emphysema, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and acute lung injury of other causes [75–77], in animal models as well as in human beings.