Abstract
Factors associated with plasma levels of adiponectin and leptin were studied in adult subjects without diabetes from Cotonou in Benin (West‐Africa). Seventy (70) men and 45 women were included in the study. Anthropometric variables were measured and a venous blood sample was drawn from each subject, after an overnight fasting period, for measurement of plasma glucose, insulin, leptin, and adiponectin levels. HOMA‐IR was determined to assess insulin resistance. Adiponectin and leptin levels were higher in women than in men (with adiponectin 18.48 ± 12.77 vs.7.8 ± 10.39 μg/mL, P < 0.0001, and leptin 30.77 ± 19.16 vs. 8.66 ± 8.24 ng/mL, P < 0.0001). Fasting insulin level and HOMA‐IR were also higher in the females. Hyperleptinemia was observed in 66,96% of subjects and hypoadiponectinemia was present in 44.35% of subjects. In both men and women, leptin correlated with age (r = 0.2; P = 0.02), BMI (r = 0.572; P < 0.0001), waist circumference (r = 0.534; P < 0.0001), fasting insulin (r = 0.461; P < 0.001), and HOMA‐IR (r = 0.430; P < 0.0001). No significant correlation was observed for adiponectin levels with these variables. Only in women, adiponectin was inversely correlated with fasting glucose (r = −0.423; P < 0.004). These data confirm previous descriptions of leptin but suggest that variations in factors determining serum adiponectin levels observed between ethnicities could also been seen between populations from the same ethnicity.
Highlights
Adipose tissue, in addition to its basic role for fat storage, functions as an endocrine organ to produce a range of hormones called adipokines or adipocytokines among which are adiponectin and leptin (Ahima 2006)
Leptin, and adiponectin levels were measured by radioimmunoassay (RIA) using specific kits according to the manufacturer instructions
Body mass was higher in men than in women but body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference were similar in both groups
Summary
In addition to its basic role for fat storage, functions as an endocrine organ to produce a range of hormones called adipokines or adipocytokines among which are adiponectin and leptin (Ahima 2006). Any significant change in energy reserve will alter adipokines secretion and disturb their influence on the control of body functions This is relevant with the dramatic increase in overweight and obese individuals across the world as obesity is an important risk factor for metabolic and cardiovascular diseases. Many studies have been dedicated to the study of factors determining or associated with plasma levels of leptin and adiponectin in several populations Correlations between these plasma levels and gender, age, body mass index (BMI), abdominal obesity, adipose fat mass have been reported (Ruige et al 1999; Monti et al 2006; Zuo et al 2013).
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