Although the cause of the longitudinal reduction in female HMW adiponectin levels observed in the current study is unclear, such reduction might be associated with an increased risk of CVD in elderly post-menopausal women [22] because there was a low proportion of healthy elderly that were current smokers, the levels of non-HDL cholesterol remained unchanged, and adiponectin levels are associated with endothelial dysfunction [23]. The gene discussed is ADIPOQ; the disease is endothelial dysfunction.