High Molecular Weight Adiponectin Levels Research Articles

Insulin resistance and its relationship with high molecular weight adiponectin in adolescents with polycystic ovary syndrome and a maternal history of polycystic ovary syndrome

To assess the rate of insulin resistance (IR) and the relationship between IR and high molecular weight (HMW) adiponectin in normal weight adolescents with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and a maternal history of PCOS. Case-controlled study. Adolescent clinic of a teaching and research hospital. Forty normal weight adolescents with PCOS and a maternal history of PCOS and 40 normo-ovulatory age- and body mass index (BMI)-matched controls. A 75-g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was performed for each participant. Homeostasis model assessment of IR and HMW adiponectin. There were no statistically significant differences between the PCOS and control groups in terms of fasting glucose, fasting insulin, and lipid parameters. Although total and free T were significantly higher, HMW adiponectin levels were significantly lower in the PCOS group compared with the control group. When the PCOS group was compared according to the IR, the HMW adiponectin level was significantly lower in the adolescents with PCOS and IR. The adolescents with PCOS and biochemical hyperandrogenemia had significantly lower HMW adiponectin levels and significantly higher homeostasis model assessment of IR score compared with the adolescents with PCOS and normoandrogenemia. The adolescents with PCOS had a significantly increased rate of IR without clinical findings of metabolic disorders or obesity. The HMW adiponectin levels were negatively correlated with IR.

Association between HMW adiponectin, HMW-total adiponectin ratio and early-onset coronary artery disease in Chinese population

ObjectiveAdiponectin is an adipose-secreting protein that shows atheroprotective property and has inverse relation with coronary artery disease (CAD). High-molecular weight (HMW) adiponectin is reported as the active form of adiponectin. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the association between total adiponectin, HMW adiponectin, HMW-total adiponectin ratio and the severity of coronary atherosclerosis, and to compare their evaluative power for the risk of CAD. MethodsSerum levels of total and HMW adiponectin were measured in 382 early-onset CAD (EOCAD) patients and 305 matched controls undergoing coronary angiography by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Gensini score was used to evaluate the severity of coronary atherosclerosis. ResultsCAD onset age was positively correlated with HMW adiponectin (r = 0.383, P < 0.001) and HMW-total adiponectin ratio (r = 0.429, P < 0.001) in EOCAD patients. Total and HMW adiponectin and HMW-total adiponectin ratio were all inversely correlated with Gensini score (r = −0.417, r = −0.637, r = −0.578, respectively; all P < 0.001). Multivariate binary logistic regression analysis demonstrated that HMW adiponectin and HMW-total adiponectin ratio were both inversely correlated with the risk of CAD (P < 0.05). ROC analysis indicated that areas under the ROC curves of HMW adiponectin and HMW-total adiponectin ratio were larger than that of total adiponectin (P < 0.05). ConclusionsAdiponectin is cardioprotective against coronary atherosclerosis onset in EOCAD patients. HMW adiponectin and HMW-total adiponectin ratio show stronger negative associations with the severity of coronary atherosclerosis than total adiponectin does. HMW adiponectin and HMW-total adiponectin ratio are effective biomarkers for the risk of CAD in Chinese population.

Effect of maternal obesity with and without gestational diabetes on offspring subcutaneous and preperitoneal adipose tissue development from birth up to year-1

BackgroundMaternal obesity and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) may independently influence offspring fat mass and metabolic disease susceptibility. In this pilot study, body composition and fat distribution in offspring from obese women with and without GDM and lean women were assessed within the 1st year of life, and maternal and newborn plasma factors were related to offspring adipose tissue distribution.MethodsSerum and plasma samples from pregnant obese women with (n = 16) or without (n = 13) GDM and normoglycemic lean women (n = 15) at 3rd trimester and offspring cord plasma were used for analyzing lipid profiles, insulin and adipokine levels. At week-1 and 6, month-4 and year-1, offspring anthropometrics and skinfold thickness (SFT) were measured and abdominal subcutaneous (SCA) and preperitoneal adipose tissue (PPA) were determined by ultrasonography.ResultsCord insulin was significantly increased in the GDM group, whereas levels of cord leptin, total and high molecular weight (HMW) adiponectin were similar between the groups. Neonates of the GDM group showed significantly higher SFT and fat mass until week-6 and significantly increased SCA at week-1 compared to the lean group that persisted as strong trend at week-6. Interestingly, PPA in neonates of the GDM group was significantly elevated at week-1 compared to both the lean and obese group. At month-4 and year-1, significant differences in adipose tissue growth between the groups were not observed. Multiple linear regression analyses revealed that cord insulin levels are independently related to neonatal PPA that showed significant relation to PPA development at year-1. Maternal fasted C-peptide and HMW adiponectin levels at 3rd trimester emerged to be determinants for PPA at week-1.ConclusionMaternal pregravid obesity combined with GDM leads to newborn hyperinsulinemia and increased offspring fat mass until week-6, whereas pregravid obesity without GDM does not. This strongly suggests the pivotal role of GDM in the adverse offspring outcome. Maternal C-peptide and HMW adiponectin levels in pregnancy emerge to be predictive for elevated PPA in newborns and might be indicative for the obesity risk at later life. Altogether, the findings from our pilot study warrant evaluation in long-term studies.Trial registrationGerman Clinical Trials Register DRKS00004370

Are Baseline High Molecular Weight Adiponectin Levels Associated with Radiographic Progression in Rheumatoid Arthritis and Osteoarthritis?

To investigate whether high molecular weight adiponectin (hmwAPN) mediates the associations of total adiponectin (totAPN) with radiographic progression in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and hand osteoarthritis (HOA). Associations between baseline hmwAPN or totAPN levels with radiographic progression were determined using multivariate linear regression or generalized estimated equations. In patients with RA, totAPN associated positively, whereas in patients with HOA it associated negatively with radiographic progression. In contrast, hmwAPN did not associate significantly with radiographic progression in either cohort. Our data indicate that the differential effects associated between totAPN and radiographic progression in either RA or HOA are not mediated by hmwAPN.

Adding glimepiride to current insulin therapy increases high-molecular weight adiponectin levels to improve glycemic control in poorly controlled type 2 diabetes.

BackgroundTo observe the efficacy and safety of adding glimepiride to established insulin therapy in poorly controlled type 2 diabetes (T2D) and to assess the relationship of changes in the serum high-molecular weight (HMW) adiponectin levels and glycemic control after glimepiride treatment.MethodsFifty-six subjects with poorly controlled insulin-treated T2D were randomly assigned to either the glimepiride-added group (the group A, n = 29) or the insulin-increasing group (the group B, n = 27) while continuing current insulin-based therapy. Glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) value, daily insulin dose, body weight, waist circumference, plasma lipid concentration, serum HMW adiponectin level and the number of hypoglycemic events were evaluated before and after treatment.ResultsAt the end of study, insulin doses were significantly reduced, and the mean HbA1c, fasting blood glucose (FBG) and 2-hour postprandial blood glucose (P2BG) were improved greater in the group A compared with the group B. The serum HMW adiponectin levels were significantly increased in the group A compared with the group B. Most importantly, we found that changes in HbA1c were inversely correlated with changes in serum HMW adiponectin in the group A (r = −0.452, p = 0.02).ConclusionsAdding glimepiride to current insulin treatment led to better improvement in glycemic control with a significant smaller daily insulin dose, and the increases in the serum HMW adiponectin levels may directly contribute to improvement glycemic control.

Accumulation of subcutaneous fat, but not visceral fat, is a predictor of adiponectin levels in preterm infants at term-equivalent age

BackgroundPreterm infants have altered fat tissue development, including a higher percentage of fat mass and increased volume of visceral fat. They also have altered adiponectin levels, including a lower ratio of high-molecular-weight adiponectin (HMW-Ad) to total adiponectin (T-Ad) at term-equivalent age, compared with term infants. AimsThe objective of this study was to investigate the association between adiponectin levels and fat tissue accumulation or distribution in preterm infants at term-equivalent age. Study designCross-sectional clinical study. SubjectsStudy subjects were 53 preterm infants born at ≤34weeks gestation with a mean birth weight of 1592g. Outcome measuresSerum levels of T-Ad and HMW-Ad were measured and a computed tomography (CT) scan was performed at the level of the umbilicus at term-equivalent age to analyze how fat tissue accumulation or distribution was correlated with adiponectin levels. ResultsT-Ad (r=0.315, p=0.022) and HMW-Ad levels (r=0.338, p=0.013) were positively associated with subcutaneous fat area evaluated by performing CT scan at term-equivalent age, but were not associated with visceral fat area in simple regression analyses. In addition, T-Ad (β=0.487, p=0.003) and HMW-Ad levels (β=0.602, p<0.001) were positively associated with subcutaneous fat tissue area, but they were not associated with visceral fat area also in multiple regression analyses. ConclusionSubcutaneous fat accumulation contributes to increased levels of T-Ad and HMW-Ad, while visceral fat accumulation does not influence adiponectin levels in preterm infants at term-equivalent age.

Acute and Short-term Chronic Testosterone Fluctuation Effects on Glucose Homeostasis, Insulin Sensitivity, and Adiponectin: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Crossover Study

Low levels of adiponectin and T in men have been shown to predict development of the metabolic syndrome, but the effects of T on glucose metabolism are incompletely understood and may be influenced either directly or indirectly through changes in body composition or in levels of adiponectin. The aim of the study was to test whether T exerts its effects on glucose metabolism directly or indirectly. In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study, 12 healthy young males were studied on four separate occasions. They received GnRH agonist treatment 1 month before 3 of 4 trial days to induce castrate levels of T. On trial days, T gel containing either high or low physiological T dose or placebo was applied to the body. On a fourth trial day, participants constituted their own eugonadal controls. Each study comprised a 5-hour basal period and a 3-hour hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp. We measured the effect of acute T on peripheral glucose disposal, total adiponectin and subforms, and other indices of glucose metabolism. Short-term hypogonadism was associated with increased high molecular weight adiponectin levels (P < .03) and increased oxidative glucose disposal (P = .03) but not total glucose disposal (P = .07). Acute T treatment was an independent suppressor of high molecular weight adiponectin levels (P = .04) but did not affect total glucose disposal (P = .17). These data show that T can act through putative fast nongenomic pathways to affect adiponectin levels in humans. The early hypogonadal state is characterized by a marked shift in fuel oxidation from lipids toward glucose, which may rely partly on buffering capabilities of adiponectin.

Major components of metabolic syndrome and adiponectin levels: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundAdiponectin is a major regulator of glucose and lipid homeostasis by its insulin sensitizer properties. Since decreased insulin sensitivity is linked to metabolic syndrome (MS), decreased adiponectin levels may be related to its development. The purpose of the study was to investigate the relationship between adiponectin levels and MS.MethodsFirstly, we cross-sectionally examined subjects with or without MS submitted to an oral glucose tolerance test at Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (n = 172). A replication analysis was performed in subjects (n = 422) undergoing cardiac angiography at Hospital São Paulo. Subchronic inflammation (US-CRP), coagulation marker (fibrinogen), insulin sensitivity and resistance (Matsuda ISI and HOMA-IR) were estimated. Plasma total and high molecular weight (HMW) adiponectin were measured.ResultsTotal and HMW adiponectin levels were lower in MS subjects (P < 0.05). Total adiponectin levels were lower in the presence of high waist circumference, low HDL-cholesterol and elevated triglyceride criteria in both samples and by elevated blood pressure and glucose criteria in Porto Alegre. HMW adiponectin levels were lower in the presence of low HDL-cholesterol, elevated triglycerides, and glucose criteria. Total adiponectin levels were positively related with HDL-cholesterol and ISI Matsuda, negatively related with waist circumference, glucose, triglycerides, HOMA-IR, and US-CRP and not related with blood pressure. While adjusting for sex and age, increased adiponectin levels remained associated with a reduced prevalence ratio for MS in both cohorts (P = 0.001).ConclusionsAdiponectin levels decreased with increasing number of MS criteria, and it is in part determined by its relationship with HDL, triglycerides and abdominal adiposity.

Total adiponectin, but not inflammatory markers C‐reactive protein, tumor necrosis factor‐α, interluekin‐6 and monocyte chemoattractant protein‐1, correlates with increasing glucose intolerance in pregnant Chinese–Americans (总脂联素，而不是炎症标志物包括C‐反应蛋白、肿瘤坏死因子‐α、白细胞介素‐6以及单核细胞趋化蛋白‐1与妊娠的华裔美国人的葡萄糖耐量受损加重有关)

BackgroundElevated insulin, C-reactive protein (CRP), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-6, and monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1 levels and decreased high molecular weight adiponectin (HMW-APN) levels have been reported in Caucasians with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). No similar studies have been performed in Chinese women.MethodsSerum samples were obtained 1 h after a 50-g glucose challenge test (1HGCT) from Chinese–American women at 24–28 gestational weeks and total adiponectin (T-APN), HMW-APN, CRP, TNF-α, IL-6, and MCP-1 concentrations were measured. Correlation coefficients for glucose (1HGCT), HbA1c, insulin, and body mass index (BMI) were calculated against T-APN, HMW-APN, CRP, TNF-α, IL-6, and MCP-1. Significant P-values were determined using Bonferroni adjustments.ResultsWomen with GDM had higher insulin and 1HGCT and lower T-APN. In addition, T-APN was lower in non-GDM subjects who had 1HGCT ≥135 mg/dL with no abnormal or one abnormal glucose value on the 3-h oral glucose tolerance test. There were no significant differences in HMW-APN and inflammatory marker levels between non-GDM and GDM groups. There were negative correlations between T-APN and 1HGCT, insulin, BMI, and HbA1c, as well as between HMW-APN and 1HGCT, insulin, and BMI. No significant correlations were observed between 1HGCT, HbA1c, insulin, or BMI and CRP, TNF-α, IL-6, or MCP-1.ConclusionsT-APN is reduced in Chinese women with GDM and those without GDM but with evidence of glucose intolerance. Unlike results reported for Caucasians, Chinese–American women with GDM do not exhibit elevated levels of CRP, TNF-α, IL-6, or MCP-1, possibly because Chinese women are relatively leaner compared with Caucasians.

Decreased serum levels of adiponectin in adult attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

The main aim of this study was to investigate serum levels of adiponectin in adult patients with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The second objective was to examine the effects of rare missense mutations in T-cadherin, an adiponectin receptor encoded by the ADHD candidate gene CDH13, on serum adiponectin levels. Total and high molecular weight (HMW) adiponectin levels were measured by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in 44 patients and 29 controls. We found decreased serum adiponectin levels in ADHD patients. In a logistic regression model, adjusting for confounding by age, body mass index, and gender, HMW adiponectin and its ratio to total adiponectin were significantly associated with ADHD. In partial correlations, HMW adiponectin and its ratio to total adiponectin were significantly inversely correlated with self-reported psychiatric symptomatology. A non significant trend for higher levels of total adiponectin was observed in patients carrying CDH13 missense mutations compared to patients with wild type CDH13. The association of CDH13 mutations with adiponectin levels should be investigated in larger studies. This study shows that ADHD patients have decreased serum adiponectin levels, which are inversely correlated to psychiatric symptoms, suggesting a possible involvement of adiponectin, in particular the HMW form, in the pathophysiology of ADHD.

CDH13 Genotype–Dependent Association of High–Molecular Weight Adiponectin With All-Cause Mortality: The J-SHIPP Study

Despite its anti-inflammatory and antiatherogenic effects, adiponectin is potentially associated with adverse clinical outcomes, such as all-cause mortality. As plasma adiponectin levels are strongly influenced by single nucleotide polymorphisms in the gene encoding T-cadherin (CDH13), we conducted a longitudinal study to investigate the possible link between the CDH13 genotype, plasma adiponectin levels, and all-cause mortality. This longitudinal study evaluated 2,020 Japanese subjects. Baseline clinical parameters were obtained from subjects' personal health records as evaluated at annual medical check-ups. Plasma high-molecular weight adiponectin (HMWA) levels were measured by an ELISA assay, and genotyping was performed by a TaqMan probe assay. Mean follow-up duration was 6.5 years. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that HMWA levels were positively associated with mortality (P < 0.001). HMWA levels were associated with older age, lower body weight, lower plasma triglyceride and glucose levels, and higher plasma HDL cholesterol. However, the Cox regression analysis showed that the positive association between HMWA and all-cause mortality was independent of these covariates (hazard ratio [HR] 1.92, P = 0.006). The CDH13 rs4783244 genotype was strongly associated with baseline HMWA levels (per-allele effect size 1.65 μg/mL, P < 0.001). In a separate analysis by the CDH13 genotype, the HR for all-cause mortality was linearly increased with the number of G alleles (P value for HMWA-CDH13 genotype interaction = 0.023). Higher plasma HMWA level was an independent prognostic factor for all-cause mortality in a general population. The CDH13 genotype may be a factor that affects not only the plasma level of HMWA but also the prognostic significance of HMWA.

The High Molecular Weight Adiponectin Level is Associated with the Atherogenic Lipoprotein Profiles in Healthy Japanese Males

Circulating adiponectin comprises high, medium and low molecular weight (HMW, MMW, and LMW) forms. Decreased adiponectin levels have been demonstrated to correlate with the atherogenic lipoprotein profile in patients with metabolic syndrome(MS). However, the associations of these isoforms with the atherogenic lipoprotein profiles in the healthy population remain unclear. Apparently healthy male subjects were divided into non-MS(n=132) and MS(n=63) groups. We measured the total, HMW, MMW and LMW adiponectin levels by ELISA, and determined the detailed lipoprotein profiles by high-performance liquid chromatography. The total and HMW adiponectin levels in the MS group were significantly lower than those in the non-MS group(3.8±1.9 vs. 4.9±2.4μg/mL, p＜0.001 and 1.6±1.2 vs. 2.5±1.9μg/mL, p＜0.001, respectively), whereas the MMW and LMW levels did not differ significantly between the groups. The total and HMW adiponectin levels correlated with the atherogenic lipoprotein profiles, including the following: 1) increased cholesterol levels in the small LDL subclasses; 2) decreased cholesterol levels in the larger HDL subclasses; 3) increased triglycerides(TGs) in almost all VLDL and LDL subclasses and 4) decreased TGs in the large HDL and increased TGs in the small HDL subclasses. In addition, a multivariate analysis demonstrated that the HMW adiponectin level was an independent predictor of the small LDL and HDL levels(p=0.02 for both). The HMW, but not MMW or LMW, adiponectin levels are associated with the typical atherogenic lipoprotein profiles, independent of MS components. Measurement of the HMW adiponectin levels could be useful for identifying the atherogenicity in apparently healthy males.

Plasma Levels of Adiponectin and Primary Liver Cancer Risk in Middle-Aged Japanese Adults with Hepatitis Virus Infection: A Nested Case–Control Study

Excess body weight is an independent risk factor for primary liver cancer, and the role of adiponectin in the pathogenesis of obesity-related malignancies is a focus of research interest. Few prospective studies have examined the association between circulating adiponectin and liver cancer risk, so we investigated this association in a nested case-control study of a population-based prospective cohort in Japan. From 18,628 target participants of ages 40 to 69 years who returned the baseline questionnaire and provided blood samples, we selected those with either hepatitis B or C virus infection at baseline (n = 1,544). Among these, 90 were newly diagnosed with primary liver cancer from 1993 through 2006, and matched to 177 controls. The ORs of liver cancer development based on plasma levels of adiponectin were estimated with a conditional logistic regression model. Median values of total and high-molecular-weight (HMW) adiponectin tended to be higher in the patients with liver cancer, and plasma levels of adiponectin were positively associated with liver cancer risk. Body mass index- and diabetes-adjusted ORs for the highest tertile of total and HMW adiponectin levels versus the lowest were 3.30 [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.45-7.53; Ptrend < 0.01] and 3.41 (95% CI, 1.50-7.73; Ptrend < 0.01), respectively. There was no effect modification by body mass index and diabetes. Higher plasma adiponectin levels were associated with an increased risk of primary liver cancer in middle-aged Japanese adults with hepatitis virus infection. Circulating adiponectin levels may be a risk marker for primary liver cancer.

Genetic Variation in CDH13 Is Associated With Lower Plasma Adiponectin Levels but Greater Adiponectin Sensitivity in East Asian Populations

Variants in the CDH13 gene have been identified as determinants of blood levels of adiponectin, an insulin-sensitizing adipokine. However, their association with other metabolic risk factors remains unclear. We examined variants at CDH13 in relation to total and high-molecular-weight (HMW) adiponectin using data from a genome-wide association study performed in 2,434 Singaporean Chinese with replication in up to 3,290 Japanese and 1,610 Koreans. The top signal rs4783244 in CDH13 showed strong associations with total adiponectin (standardized β [β] = −0.34, 95% CI −0.38 to −0.30, P = 2.0 × 10−70), HMW adiponectin (β = −0.40, 95% CI −0.43 to −0.36, P = 1.1 × 10−117), and the HMW-to-total adiponectin ratio (β = −0.44, 95% CI −0.49 to −0.40, P = 3.2 × 10−83). In the replication study, this single nucleotide polymorphism explained 4.1% of total and 6.5% of HMW adiponectin levels. No association was observed between rs4783244 and metabolic traits associated with insulin resistance before adjustment for HMW adiponectin levels. After adjustment for HMW adiponectin levels, the minor allele was associated with lower BMI (β = −0.15, 95% CI −0.19 to −0.11, P = 3.5 × 10−14), homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance index (β = −0.16, 95% CI −0.20 to −0.12, P = 9.2 × 10−16), and triglycerides (β = −0.16, 95% CI −0.19 to −0.12, P = 1.3 × 10−16) and with higher HDL (β = 0.16, 95% CI 0.12 to 0.19, P = 2.1 × 10−17). CDH13 variants strongly influence plasma total and HMW adiponectin levels in East Asian populations but appear to alter adiponectin sensitivity, resulting in better metabolic health than expected based on circulating adiponectin levels.

Relationship of serum isoflavone, insulin and adiponectin levels with breast cancer risk

Obesity is one of the well-known risk factors of breast cancer. Accumulating evidence suggests that adiponectin, an obesity-related hormone, is inversely associated with breast cancer risk, particularly in postmenopausal women. Obesity is also associated with high levels of insulin. In addition, studies have suggested that the soy isoflavones present in the traditional Japanese diet have been associated with decreased risk of breast cancer. However, there is no study that has assessed associations between serum levels of isoflavones, insulin, adiponectin and the risk of breast cancer all together with menopausal status. In a case-control study of 63 histologically confirmed breast cancer patients and 76 controls, serum isoflavone, insulin, and high-molecular-weight (HMW) adiponectin levels and breast cancer risk were examined for their association with breast cancer risk after adjustment for various risk factors. Women in the highest tertile of serum HMW adiponectin levels were associated with a statistically significant decreased risk for breast cancer compared with women in the lowest tertile [odds ratio (OR), 0.09; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.03-0.33]. This association was observed in postmenopausal women (OR 0.06; 95% CI 0.01-0.28), but not in premenopausal women. The observed associations were independent of possible effects of insulin, body mass index, and known risk factors for breast cancer. Serum isoflavones and insulin levels were not associated with breast cancer risk. This study suggests that high serumHMW adiponectin levels are significantly associated with a decreased risk for breast cancer. Our result support the hypothesis that serum adiponectin may act as a potential biomarker for breast cancer.

Adipose tissue depot and cell size dependency of adiponectin synthesis and secretion in human obesity

Adiponectin is an insulin sensitizing fat cell (FC) hormone whose levels are related to adipose tissue (AT) mass and depot distribution. We hypothesized that the nature of AT expansion (hypertrophy vs. hyperplasia) contributes to obesity-related reductions in serum adiponectin and that this effect is influenced by the regional distribution of AT to subcutaneous (S) and visceral (V) depots. Thirteen obese subjects provided paired AT biopsies. Serum total and high molecular weight (HMW) adiponectin levels were determined by ELISA. Secretion was quantified following 24-h explant culture. FC size, number, % large, and % small FC were determined by microscopic analysis. Secretion of total adiponectin was highest by SAT (P = 0.008) and correlated more strongly with serum adiponectin (total: P = 0.015, r = 0.77; HMW: P = 0.005, r = 0.83) than did secretion by VAT (P = 0.05, r = 0.66 for both). FC size was greatest in SAT and correlated negatively with both serum (total: P = 0.01, r = −0.74; HMW: P = 0.03, r = −0.69) and secreted (total: P = 0.05, r = −0.72; HMW: P = 0.02, r = −0.87) adiponectin. The % small FC in SAT correlated positively with both serum (total: P = 0.006, r = 0.87; HMW: P = 0.009, r = 0.79) and secreted (total: P = 0.03, r = 0.75; HMW: P = 0.01, r = 0.92) adiponectin. VAT FC size correlated negatively with serum HMW adiponectin (P = 0.01, r = −0.76) but not with any measure of secretion. VAT had the greatest % small FC, which related positively to serum HMW (P = 0.004, r = 0.81) and to secreted total adiponectin (P = 0.02, r = 0.78). These studies indicate that differences in fat cell size and depot distribution of AT expansion are important influences on adiponectin in obesity.

Ovarian HMW adiponectin is associated with folliculogenesis in women with polycystic ovary syndrome

BackgroundAdiponectin may regulate ovarian steroidogenesis, folliculogenesis and ovulation. The alterations in the distribution of adiponectin multimers in follicular fluid (FF) and the relationship between adiponectin multimers and folliculogenesis in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) remain unclear. In this study, we aimed to investigate the association between the levels of total and high molecular weight (HMW) adiponectin in serum and FF and folliculogenesis in women undergoing in vitro fertilisation (IVF).MethodsThis prospective study included ten Chinese women with PCOS and ten controls undergoing IVF. The levels of the total and HMW adiponectin in serum and FF were determined by ELISA. Insulin resistance (IR) was estimated using the homeostasis model assessment insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR).ResultsAfter controlling for the body mass index (BMI), the levels of the total, and the HMW adiponectin in the serum and FF were significantly lower in the women with PCOS compared with the normovulatory women undergoing IVF (P < 0.05). The levels of the HMW adiponectin were significantly lower in the FF than in the serum (P < 0.01). No significant differences were found in the total adiponectin levels in the serum and in the FF (P > 0.05). Decreased HMW adiponectin in the FF was associated with an increased number of follicles and decreased follicular diameters in the normovulatory and PCOS women, and this association was independent of the overall adiposity. A strong positive linear correlation was observed between the number of the follicles and the IR estimated by HOMA-IR (r = 0.784, P < 0.0001). We found that the larger follicular diameters had a negative relationship with the IR estimated by HOMA-IR (r = −0.445, P < 0.05). A strong negative linear correlation was observed between HOMA-IR and the HMW adiponectin levels (r = −0.726, P < 0.001) and the total adiponectin levels (r = −0.759, P < 0.001) in the FF.ConclusionsThe levels of the total adiponectin and the HMW adiponectin in the FF and serum were decreased in the Chinese women with PCOS compared with the normovulatory women undergoing IVF, and the differences persisted after controlling for the BMI. Ovarian HMW adiponectin is negatively correlated to folliculogenesis.

Total and high-molecular-weight adiponectin levels in relation to insulin resistance among overweight/obese adults.

ObjectiveTo determine whether baseline levels or intervention-associated changes in total and high molecular weight (HMW) adiponectin levels were associated with insulin resistance after six months of behavioral treatment for weight loss.DesignAn ancillary study to a behavioral weight loss trial; the intervention was delivered in group sessions.MethodsParticipants included 143 overweight/obese adults with a mean BMI of 33.7 kg/m2. The sample was 88% female, 67% white, and 44.2 ± 8.5 years old. Circulating adiponectin levels (total and HMW) and the homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) of insulin resistance were measured and evaluated.ResultsAt baseline, there was significant inverse associations between total adiponectin and HOMA (p < 0.001) and between HMW adiponectin and HOMA (p < 0.001) independent of weight. At 6-mo, there was a 17% improvement in HOMA, 8% increase in total adiponectin, 17% increase in HMW adiponectin levels, and 8.72% weight loss (p’s for all< 0.001). There was also a significant inverse association between changes in total adiponectin and HOMA (p = 0.04) that was independent of baseline weight and weight loss. In contrast, the association between changes in HMW adiponectin and HOMA was attenuated after adjustment for weight loss.ConclusionsAn increased level of total adiponectin was associated with improved insulin sensitivity, regardless of baseline weight and weight loss. However, baseline total and HMW adiponectin levels were more strongly associated with HOMA than changes in these measures at six months. HMW adiponectin level was not related more closely to insulin resistance than total adiponectin level.

Obesity, High-Molecular-Weight (HMW) Adiponectin, and Metabolic Risk Factors: Prevalence and Gender-Specific Associations in Estonia

BackgroundThe metabolic consequences of obesity are associated with an imbalance of adipocytokines, e.g. adiponectin. However, some obese subjects remain metabolically healthy and have adiponectin levels similar to normal body weight subjects. Current estimates of the prevalence of obesity in Estonia have relied only on self-report data.ObjectivesTo estimate the prevalence of obesity in Estonia, to test for associations between HMW adiponectin and metabolic risk factors and to test if HMW adiponectin levels differentiate metabolically healthy and metabolically unhealthy subjects.MethodsWe conducted a population-based cross-sectional multicentre study to gather history, examination and blood test results for 495 subjects aged 20–74. Metabolically healthy subjects were free from hypertension, dyslipidaemia, impaired glucose regulation and insulin resistance. Metabolically unhealthy subjects had at least one of these four metabolic abnormalities.ResultsThe prevalence of obesity was 29% in men and 34% in women. HMW adiponectin was positively correlated with HDL cholesterol and negatively correlated with triglycerides, obesity, insulin resistance and blood glucose. This effect was driven by metabolically unhealthy subjects in men, but by both metabolically healthy and metabolically unhealthy subjects in women. Metabolically healthy women had higher HMW adiponectin levels than metabolically unhealthy women. 12% of all obese subjects were metabolically healthy, and their HMW adiponectin levels were similar to normal weight subjects.ConclusionsObesity is more prevalent in Estonian adults than previously thought. HMW adiponectin levels were associated with various metabolic risk factors in metabolically healthy women but not in metabolically healthy men. For both genders, HMW adiponectin differentiates metabolically healthy obese subjects from metabolically unhealthy obese subjects.

Preterm Infants Have Altered Adiponectin Levels at Term-Equivalent Age Even if They Do Not Present with Extrauterine Growth Restriction

Background/Aims: This study aimed to investigate total adiponectin (T-Ad) and high-molecular-weight adiponectin (HMW-Ad) levels in preterm infants at term-equivalent age and to assess the relationship between adiponectin levels and early postnatal growth. Methods: The study included 43 term infants and 58 preterm infants born at 34 weeks' gestation or less. T-Ad and HMW-Ad levels were measured in the preterm infants at birth and at term-equivalent age, and in the term infants at birth. Adiponectin levels were statistically compared between preterm and term infants to evaluate the association between postnatal growth and changes in the adiponectin levels in preterm infants. Results: The T-Ad levels were higher and the ratio of HMW-Ad to T-Ad (HMW%) was lower in preterm infants at term-equivalent age than in term infants. Further, body weight SD score changes were positively associated with T-Ad and HMW-Ad increases in preterm infants from birth to term-equivalent age. The HMW% changes had a negative association only with HMW% in cord blood. Conclusion: Preterm infants have altered adiponectin levels at term-equivalent age. Further, postnatal growth may contribute to adiponectin increases from birth to term-equivalent age, although HMW% changes might be regulated before birth at least up to term-equivalent age in preterm infants.