Study of adiponectin in insulin resistance and atherosclerosis

Abstract EN

Background and Aim of the work Adiponectin is the most abundant adipose tissue protein in THE serum, accounting for 0.01% of total plasma proteins.

It is the only adipocytokine which varies inversely with the extent of obesity and promotes insulin sensitivity.

We sought to investigate the relation of adiponectin to insulin resistance and atherosclerosis in different cohorts of Egyptian subjects, where the problem of obesity is highly prevalent. Material and Methods: 50 diabetic patients and 40 non-diabetic subjects were studied, half of each group being obese (BMI > 30 kg / m2).

All were above the age of 40, none was on insulin and none had chronic illness.

Insulin resistance was measured using the HOMA-IR formula [FPI (μ IU / ml) x FPG (mmol / L) / 22.5] and atherosclerosis was assessed by measuring the Carotid Intima Media Thickness (CIMT) using high resolution duplex scan.

Serum adiponectin levels (μg / ml) were measured using ELISA technique.

Anthropometric measurements were taken for all subjects.

Lipid profile and HbA1c were measured. Results: Adiponectin levels were significantly higher in females vs.

males, non-diabetics vs.

diabetics, non-obese vs.

obese subjects in both groups and in normal glucose tolerant (NGT) non-obese non-diabetics versus those with Impaired Glucose Tolerance (IGT). CIMT was significantly higher in the diabetic group particularly the obese ones and in those non-diabetics with IGT.

CIMT correlated significantly with age, weight, BMI, W / H ratio, fasting glucose, HOMA-IR, A1c, LDL cholesterol, Triglycerides and adiponectin.

Multiple regression analysis showed HOMA-IR and adiponectin to be the strongest predictors for CIMT.