Additionally, adiponectin is verified to increase the production of nitric oxide (NO) in endothelial cells by activating the phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase/Akt (PI3K/Akt) signaling pathway, thus, the lower adiponectin levels are considered to be a risk factor for endothelial dysfunction [41]. Here, AKT1 is linked to endothelial dysfunction.