New findings from a study conducted at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine and Thomas Jefferson University show the hormone adiponectin circulates in the blood and both suppresses inflammation and reduces protein in urine. Researchers suggest a deficiency of adiponectin, which is produced by fat cells, could be a major reason obese patients develop signs of kidney disease.
 
Individuals with lower levels of adiponectin may be at an increased risk of developing kidney disease, cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

This article originally appeared in the June 2008 issue of Kidney Beginnings: The Electronic Newsletter.