Figure 1.

Plasma adiponectin and cardiovascular (CVD) risk over time. A: both low and high levels of plasma adiponectin are associated with CVD risk and mortality. B: time course of plasma adiponectin levels in both women and men over the life span. Adiponectin levels increase in women at puberty and decrease during the transition to menopause before rising again postmenopause. Men experience a decrease in plasma adiponectin at puberty that recovers over time; however, levels are lower compared with women.