ADIPOQ and cardiovascular disorder: A further explanation and/or consequence is the sexual dimorphism displayed by liver-associated markers, such as sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) and adiponectin levels being much lower in men, consistent with their greater insulin resistance and greater risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease at a younger age [44, 45] and the more severe metabolic phenotype at the diagnosis of NAFLD [32].