A novel adiponectin-like protein having therapeutic and/or preventive effects on arteriosclerosis and a gene encoding this protein are provided. A protein (a) comprising the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:3; a protein (b) comprising an amino acid sequence derived from the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:3 by deletion, substitution or addition of amino acid(s) and having an activity of inhibiting the proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells; salts of these proteins; and DNA encoding the above proteins.
