In particular, in apolipoprotein E-deficient (ApoE−/−) mice exhibiting deregulated cholesterol metabolism and atherosclerotic plaques, adiponectin administration attenuated metabolic and vascular disorders, by increasing the production of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 and the endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) responsible for the synthesis of the vasodilator NO. The gene discussed is NOS3; the disease is vascular disorder.