Objective To investigate the effect of adiponectin on proliferation of airway smooth muscle cells( ASMCs) , and explore its possible mechanism. Methods ASMCs were derived fromrat airway tissue and were cultured in vitro. RT-PCR was used to verify the expression of adiponectin receptors on ASMCs. Then ASMCs were treated with adiponectin at different concentrations( 5, 10, 20, 40, 80 μg/mL) for different periods of time( 1, 12, 24, 48, 72 hours) , respectively. The absorbsence ratios of adiponectin at different concentrations were determined by MTT assay. The adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase( AMPK) and phosphorylated AMPK( pho-AMPK) in ASMCs were quantified by Western blot after being treated with adiponectin at different concentrations ( 5, 10, 20, 40 μg/mL) for 48 hours. ResultsThe inhibition of adiponectin on ASMCs was showed in dose-dependent manner( r = 0. 324, P lt; 0. 01) and time-dependent manner( r = 0. 607, P lt; 0. 05) . Western blot indicated that the expression of pho-AMPK increased with the increased concentrations of adiponectin( r =0. 607, P lt; 0. 01) . The ratio of pho-AMPK/AMPK were ( 27. 66 ±1. 03) % , ( 31. 91 ±0. 86 ) %, ( 75. 52 ±2. 67) % , and ( 84. 50 ±1. 05) % ,respectively, with significant differences between each concentrations of adiponectin( P lt; 0. 05) . There was no expression of pho-AMPK in the control group. Conclusion Adiponectin can significantly inhibit ASMCs’proliferation by activating AMPK.