Insulin-sensitizing adipocyte-secreted protein (adipokine) that regulates glucose metabolism in liver and adipose tissue. Promotes glucose uptake in adipocytes and suppresses de novo glucose production in hepatocytes via the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway. Administration lead to reduction of blood glucose. Able to attenuate inflammation in fat tissue. Homomultimer; disulfide-linked. May interact with ERFE (By similarity). In sera is the predominant form. Predominantly expressed by adipose tissues. By insulin in subcutaneous adipose tissue. Processed into Adipolin fC1QTNF12 and Adipolin gC1QTNF12 by FURIN. Insulin enhances endogenous C1QTNF12 cleavage. Belongs to the adipolin/erythroferrone family.