Comparison of Serum Insulin, Leptin, Adiponectin and High Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein Levels according to Body Mass Index and their Associations in Adult Women

Abstract

Obesity is characterized by increased storage of fatty acids in an adipose tissue and closely associated with the development of insulin resistance and cardiovascular diseases (CVD) through secretion of adipokines. This study was done to compare serum insulin, leptin, adiponectin and high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels according to body masss index (BMI) in Korean adult women aged 19 to 50. In addition, we examined the association of BMI, serum lipids and Homa-IR with serum adiponectin, leptin and hs-CRP levels. The subjects were divided into 3 groups by their BMI, normal weight (BMI ≤ 22.9, n = 30), overweight (23.0 ≤ BMI ≤ 24.9, n = 71) and obese group (25.0 ≤ BMI, n = 59). Serum levels of total-cholesterol, TG, and LDL-cholesterol were significantly higher in obese group than in normal weight group. LDL/HDL ratio and AI were significantly higher in obese group than in normal or overweight group. Fasting serum levels of glucose and insulin and Homa-IR as a marker of insulin resistance were significantly higher in obese group than in overweight group. Serum leptin level was significantly higher in obese group while serum adiponectin level was significantly lower in obese group compared to other two groups. hs-CRP was significantly increased in obese group. Correlation data show that serum adiponectin level was positively correlated with serum HDL- cholesterol level and was negatively correlated with BMI, WC, TG, LDL-cholesterol, Homa-IR, hs-CRP and leptin. In addition, serum leptin level was positively correlated with BMI, WC, glucose, insulin, Homa-IR and hs-CRP. These results might imply that the regulation of key adipokines such as adiponectin might be a strategy for the prevention or treatment of obesity-associated diseases such as diabetes and CVD. (Korean J Community Nutr 16(1) : 126~135, 2011)