The possible reasons are that the lower adiponectin levels found in men account for the increased incidence of HCC in men (56), and the different roles of the sex hormones (including androgens and estrogens and their corresponding receptors) and inflammatory mediators (IL-6, etc.)in the progression of HCC in men and women (57, 58). The gene discussed is ADIPOQ; the disease is hepatocellular carcinoma.