ADIPOQ and atherosclerosis: Because adiponectin is a crucial factor in the regulation of glucose and lipid metabolism, inflammation, and oxidative stress, reduced adiponectin levels play a causal role in the development of insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, atherosclerosis, and cardiovascular disease (Hotta et al. 2000, Lindsay et al. 2002, Kumada et al. 2003, Pischon et al. 2004, Ryo et al. 2004, Ohashi et al. 2010, Ai et al. 2011, Juonala et al. 2011).