Adiponectin receptors: expression in Zucker diabetic rats and effects of fenofibrate and metformin.

The insulin-sensitizing adipokine, adiponectin, acts through 2 receptors, AdipoR1 and AdipoR2. A decreased expression of these receptors could contribute to insulin resistance and diabetes. We determined if the expression of adiponectin receptors is decreased in an experimental model, the Zucker diabetic rat (ZDF), and if a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha agonist, fenofibrate, and metformin could increase these expressions.