Abstract
Serum adiponectin levels are decreased in patients with cerebral infarction. Adiponectin in circulation exists in three isoforms: high molecular weight (HMW), medium molecular weight (MMW), and low molecular weight (LMW) adiponectin. We measured serum levels of total adiponectin and adiponectin multimers (HMW, MMW, and LMW) in patients with cerebral infarction and compared the serum levels of the three adiponectin multimers in stroke subtypes. We also evaluated the clinical value of adiponectin multimer levels as a biomarker for cerebral infarction. We assessed a total of 132 patients with cerebral infarctions. The serum levels of total and adiponectin multimers were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The total and HMW adiponectin levels were significantly lower in atherothrombotic infarction (AI) than in cerebral embolism (CE) (total, p < 0.05; HMW, p < 0.05). In male patients, the MMW adiponectin level was significantly lower in the lacunar infarction (LI) group than in the AI group (p < 0.05). The LMW adiponectin level was significantly lower in the AI group than in the LI and CE groups (LI, p < 0.001; CE, p = 0.001). However, there were no significant differences in adiponectin multimer levels among the stroke subtypes in female subjects. Additionally, in female patients with AI and LI, the LMW adiponectin levels were negatively associated with C-reactive protein (CRP; AI, p < 0.05; LI, p < 0.05). These findings suggest that a decrease in adiponectin is associated with AI and that serum LMW adiponectin level represents a potential biomarker for AI.
Highlights
Cerebral infarction is associated with metabolic syndrome and often caused by atherosclerosis [1, 2]
The total and high molecular weight (HMW) adiponectin levels were significantly lower in atherothrombotic infarction (AI) than in cerebral embolism (CE)
The low molecular weight (LMW) adiponectin level was significantly lower in the AI group than in the lacunar infarction (LI) and CE groups (LI, p < 0.001; CE, p = 0.001)
Summary
Cerebral infarction is associated with metabolic syndrome and often caused by atherosclerosis [1, 2]. Metabolic syndrome represents a cluster of independent risk factors for cardiovascular diseases. The major factors include high blood pressure, dyslipidemia, and glucose metabolism disorder, and is associated with a high risk of cerebral infarction [3]. Adiponectin is an adipokine with anti-atherogenic [4, 5], anti-inflammatory [6] and antidiabetic properties and takes part in the regulation of several metabolic processes. Numerous studies have shown that adiponectin produces anti-inflammatory effects [9] and inhibits TNF-alpha secretion [10]. Adiponectin plays an important role in suppressing the onset and development of cardiovascular diseases
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
