C1QTNF12 (adipolin/CTRP12) is an insulin-sensitizing adipokine secreted by adipose tissue that regulates systemic glucose and lipid metabolism. Mechanistically, CTRP12 promotes glucose uptake in adipocytes and suppresses hepatic glucose production via PI3K-Akt signaling 1, while also inhibiting triglyceride synthesis by downregulating GPAT, DGAT2, and HNF-4α in hepatocytes 1. The protein exerts anti-inflammatory effects on adipose tissue 23, with circulating levels inversely correlating with IL-6 4. Clinically, CTRP12 dysregulation is associated with multiple metabolic and cardiovascular diseases. Circulating CTRP12 levels are significantly reduced in obesity, type 2 diabetes, and polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), independent of BMI 56. In obesity, furin-mediated cleavage of full-length adipolin is enhanced, reducing bioactive circulating levels 5. CTRP12 deficiency contributes to atherosclerosis pathogenesis; CTRP12 overexpression ameliorates atherosclerotic lesions by promoting cholesterol efflux via the miR-155-5p/LXRα pathway and suppressing macrophage inflammatory response 7. These findings position CTRP12 as a therapeutic target for obesity-related metabolic disorders and cardiovascular disease.