ADIPOQ and obesity due to melanocortin 4 receptor deficiency: Mice lacking the alleles of ADIPOQ are more susceptible to the development of obesity-related metabolic and malignant diseases, whereas replenishment of adiponectin decreases glucose production, restores insulin sensitivity, reduces visceral adiposity, protects against hepatic steatosis and inflammatory liver injuries, attenuates the development of atherosclerotic vascular disease, and inhibits cancer development12–18.