Serum adiponectin concentration in diabetic nephropathy (DN) group was significantly higher than that of simple diabetes mellitus (SDM) group.In clinical diabetic nephropathy group with massive albuminuria it was remarkably higher than those of normal control,SDM,and early DN.Furthermore,serum adiponectin concentration was positively correlated with urinary albumin excretion rate and negatively correlated with waist hip ratio.Why it is markedly increased in patients with overt DN merits further investigation.