CTRP13 (C1qTNF-related protein 13) belongs to a highly conserved family of adiponectin paralogs. CTRP13 is an adipokine that promotes glucose uptake in adipocytes, myotubes and hepatocytes via activation of the AMPK signaling pathway. CTRP13 ameliorates lipid-induced insulin resistance in hepatocytes through suppression of the SAPK/JNK stress signaling that impairs the insulin signaling pathway. CTRP13 reduces glucose output in hepatocytes by inhibiting the mRNA expression of gluconeogenic enzymes, glucose-6-phosphatase and the cytosolic form of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase. CTRP13 has insulin-sensitizing activity and is important in glucose homeostasis. CTRP13 is preferentially expressed by adipose tissue and the brain in mice and predominantly by adipose tissue in humans.