Adiponectin improves NF-κB-mediated inflammation and abates atherosclerosis progression in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice

Background Atherosclerosis is a common pathological basis of cardiovascular disease. Adiponectin (APN) has been shown to have an anti-atherosclerosis effect, and the underlying mechanisms, however, are largely unknown. Nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) has also been regarded as a proatherogenic factor, mainly because of its regulation of a variety of the proinflammatory genes linked to atherosclerosis. It was hypothesized that the inhibitory effects of adiponectin on the atherosclerosis is through the inhibition of NF-κB signaling pathway.