Adiponectin and Insulin Sensitivity

Overview

Background.
Adiponectin is a fat tissue protein that plays a role in maintaining the homeostasis of glucose and lipids, along with counteracting a number of risk factors associated with atherosclerosis and obesity. In addition, adiponectin has an effect on insulin sensitivity. The aim of this work was to assess concentrations of adiponectin in predefined groups of individuals and to analyse the associations between adiponectin and other metabolic parameters. 

Methods and Results.
The studied population comprised four groups of individuals, A-D. A – healthy controls, B – patients with impaired lipid metabolism, C – the obese, and D – patients with metabolic syndrome. When comparing the levels of adiponectin in groups of patients with impaired lipid metabolism (B), the obese (C), and patients with metabolic syndrome (D) with healthy controls (A), no statistically significant difference was observed between groups B and C and healthy individuals. In contrast, statistically significant difference was found when concentrations of adiponectin in patients with metabolic syndrome (D) were compared to those in healthy controls. Individuals with metabolic syndrome had the lowest levels of adiponectin – 5.3 mg/l (men) and 5.6 mg/l (women). The correlation coefficient for the association between adiponectin and HDL was R=0.57, for adiponectin and triglycerides R=-0.46, for adiponectin and BMI R=-0.37, for adiponectin and glycemia R=-0.34, for adiponectin and insulinemia R=-0.39, and for adiponectin and the QUICKI index R=0.44. 

Conclusions.
One possible method of the complex evaluation of the metabolic syndrome development and its metabolic consequences is the assessment of adiponectin levels. Low levels of adiponectin indicate the development of insulin resistance. 

Key words:
adiponectin, metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance.