Lower Adiponectin Concentrations Research Articles

Preparation and characterization of monoclonal antibodies to human adiponectin for its quantitative measurement in serum

Mouse Monoclonal antibodies against human adiponectin were produced by the routine method and the specificity of antibodies was verified. These monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) interacted with the monomeric and trimeric forms of recombinant adiponectin according to the results of a Western blot analysis. Human blood serum was fractionated by gel filtration, and the protein of these fractions was stained using labeled MoAbs. It was established that a single high-molecular-weight form (HMW) of endogenous adiponectin was detected by this method. The use of competitive enzymelinked immunoassay on the basis of the obtained MoAbs allowed us to show that the sera of healthy male donors contains lower adiponectin concentrations than that of female donors (8.42 ± 1.59 μg/ml vs. 11.01 ± 2.58 μg/ml, p = 0.01). We also detected statistically significant lower adiponectin levels in the serum of patients with coronary artery disease for both men (6.01 ± 2.73 μg/ml vs. 8.42 ± 1.59 μg/ml, p = 0.015) and women (5.79 ± 2.98 μg/ml vs. 11.01 ± 2.58 μg/ml, p = 0.0003). Therefore, the developed methods for the analysis of the HMW form of adiponectin can be helpful in the diagnostics of the possible implications and assessment of unfavorable prognoses in patients with cardiovascular disorders.

The association of adiponectin serum level and ADIPOQ +45 T/G and ADIPOR1 −106 A/G gene polymorphisms with diabetic nephropathy in type 2 DM

Adiponectin encoded by ADIPOQ, gene (adiponectin, C1Q and Collagen Domain-Containing) is an adipocyte-derived protein, plays a major role in mediating insulin sensitivity, and lower plasma adiponectin concentration has been linked to microangiopathies in type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). It has been hypothesized that blood adiponectin concentration may reflect the extent of kidney damage in diabetic patients. Our aim was to study genetic polymorphisms in adiponectin genes (ADIPOQ +45 T/G and adiponectin receptor 1 (ADIPOR1) −106 A/G) and the serum level of adiponectin in type 2 DM and to correlate this with the stages of diabetic nephropathy. Forty-eight patients with type 2 DM were recruited from Internal Medicine Department and Nephrology Outpatient Clinic in Kasr El Aini Hospital, Cairo University, from April 2011 until March 2012. They were divided into normoalbuminuric (nonnephropathic), n = 17; and nephropathic group, n = 31; who were further subdivided into microalbuminuric, macroalbuminuric, and end-stage renal disease groups. They were compared to ten healthy control subjects. Blood urea, creatinine, HbA1c, and adiponectin were measured. ADIPOQ +45 T/G and ADIPOR1 −106 A/G gene polymorphisms were analyzed by PCR RFLP. Serum adiponectin was significantly lower in nephropathic group versus nonnephropathic and control group (P = 0.026) with the lowest level in macroalbuminuric group (P < 0.001). Serum urea, blood glucose, HbA1c, and duration of diabetes were found to be independent predictors of adiponectin level, r 2 = 0.59. In case of ADIPOQ, most of the cases carried the TT genotype, and there was absence of GG genotype in both cases and control. The ADIPOR1 gene polymorphism was strongly associated with type 2 DM and diabetic nephropathy. The G allele of ADIPOR1 was found to be a risk factor for type 2 DM with OR 3.1 (95 % confidence interval 1.1–8.5), P = 0.028. This evidence highlights the role of ADIPOR1 in the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy and type 2 diabetes (T2D), suggesting AdipoR1 as a promising target for the treatment of T2D patients, particularly those who have microalbuminuria. Also, adiponectin serum level is a biomarker for kidney disease and may be targeted for prevention and treatment.

Plasma adiponectin levels in relation to prognosis in patients with angiographic coronary artery disease

ObjectiveThe objective was to study the associations between adiponectin levels and cardiovascular adverse clinical outcomes in patients with angiographic coronary artery disease (CAD) within the Han Chinese population in Beijing. Materials/methodsA total of 449 hospitalized patients with angiographic CAD who were Han Chinese in Beijing participated in the study. Plasma adiponectin levels were examined from blood samples using a type of unique enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay that was developed by our laboratory. All of the patients' clinical data, including previously identified cardiovascular risk factors, creatinine clearance and left ventricle ejection fraction, were recorded after admission, and patients were followed up for 19±8months. The primary end-point was marked by the occurrence of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), which included death, targeted vascular revascularization, acute coronary syndrome, heart failure, and transient ischemic attack (TIA) / stroke. ResultsA total of 109 cases of MACE occurred: 15 cases of death, 66 cases of acute coronary syndrome, 4 cases of TIA/stroke, 6 cases of targeted vessel revascularization, and 18 cases of heart failure. Among all the patients, 173 were assigned to the high adiponectin group and 276 were assigned to the low adiponectin group according to their baseline plasma adiponectin levels. The incidence of MACE was significantly higher in the low adiponectin group (P=.037). In a multivariate Cox regression analysis for adiponectin levels, previously documented risk factors, coronary artery stenosis scores, and low adiponectin levels were indicated as independent predictors of MACE in patients with CAD (RR 1.75; 95% CI, 1.066–2.865; P=.027). Further adjustment for hsCRP, Ccr, LVEF, fasting glucose and lipid profile did not attenuate this association (RR=2.36; 95% CI 1.338–4.167; P=.003). The relative risk for low adiponectin levels after additional adjustment for the coronary score was 2.42 (95% CI 1.367–4.279; P=.002). The Kaplan–Meier survival analysis curve suggested that patients with lower adiponectin concentrations had a decreased event-free survival ratio (log-rank χ2 =4.592, P=.032). ConclusionsThe results indicate a potential association between plasma adiponectin levels and cardiovascular prognosis in patients with CAD.

Abstract MP034: Adiponectin Concentrations are Inversely Associated with Risk of Peripheral Arterial Disease in Men

Background: Lower concentrations of adiponectin have been linked to the development of occlusive coronary events in otherwise healthy individuals. Whether similar relationships exist for the development of systemic atherosclerosis, such as peripheral arterial disease (PAD), is unknown. Methods: We used data from a prospective, nested case-control study among 18,225 male participants of the Health Professionals Follow-up Study aged 40 to 75 years who were free of diagnosed cardiovascular disease at the time of blood draw (1993–1995). During 14 years of follow-up through January 31, 2008, 143 men developed PAD. Using risk set sampling, controls were selected in a 3:1 ratio matched for age, date of blood draw, fasting status and smoking status (n=429). We used conditional logistic regression models to assess PAD risk. Results: Higher adiponectin concentrations were associated with a lower risk of PAD (Odds ratio [OR] per SD increase 0.58; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.45–0.75) after controlling for pack-years of smoking, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, family history of myocardial infarction, aspirin use, body mass index and physical activity. Additional adjustment for low- and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein concentrations attenuated the association (OR per SD increase, 0.71; 95% CI, 0.54–0.95). Further adjustment for hemoglobin A 1c , triglyceride, and gamma-glutamyltransferase concentrations did not alter the results. A log-linear inverse dose-response relationship was evident over the full spectrum of total adiponectin concentrations ( P trend =0.02; Figure). Conclusion: Total adiponectin concentrations are inversely associated with risk of PAD in otherwise healthy men. This relationship can only partly be explained by cholesterol and C-reactive protein concentrations and is independent of triglycerides and glycemic status. Figure legend: Dose-Response Relationship between Total Adiponectin Concentrations and Odds Ratio of PAD.

Cholesterol Efflux and Metabolic Abnormalities Associated With Low High-Density-Lipoprotein-Cholesterol and High Triglycerides in Statin-Treated Coronary Men With Low-Density Lipoprotein-Cholesterol

In 69 statin-treated male coronary patients with low-density lipoprotein cholesterol at goal levels (<70 mg/dl), the investigators tested whether low high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (<40 mg/dl) and high triglyceride (>150 mg/dl) are associated with dysfunctional HDL particles and abnormal insulin, adiponectin, C-reactive protein serum levels. Thirty-four patients with low HDL cholesterol and high triglyceride (dyslipidemia) and 35 patients with low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, and triglyceride at target levels (normolipidemia) were studied. Twenty healthy men were also studied. High-sensitivity C-reactive protein was measured using immunonephelometry, insulin using a radioimmunometric assay, and total adiponectin by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Cell cholesterol efflux to serum and total isolated HDL was assayed using rat hepatoma Fu5AH cells for scavenger receptor class B type 1-mediated efflux. Compared to the normolipidemia and healthy groups, and after adjustment for age and waist circumference, patients with dyslipidemia showed higher fasting insulin (14, 9.9, and 8.5 μU/ml, respectively), homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance values (3.4, 2.3, and 1.8, respectively), lower adiponectin concentrations (5.1, 8.1, and 11 μg/ml, respectively), and reduced cholesterol efflux to serum (14%, 15%, and 19%, respectively) and to HDL fractions (4.4%, 4.6%, and 5.6%, respectively) (p <0.05 for all variables). Multivariate analysis showed that adiponectin and apolipoprotein A1 accounted for 10.7% and 3.9%, respectively, of the variance in cholesterol efflux. In conclusion, the decreased cholesterol efflux and metabolic abnormalities found in the dyslipidemia group may contribute to the residual risk observed in the large statin trials and the higher morbidity and mortality in statin-treated coronary patients with low HDL cholesterol even when attaining low-density lipoprotein cholesterol <70 mg/dl.

Changes of thyroid hormone receptor activity in hypertensive atrial fibrillation

hyperadiponectinemia group (≥5.0 μg/mL) and a hypoadiponectinemia group (b5.0 μg/mL) according to baseline plasma adiponcetin levels. The incidence of MACCE was significantly increased in the hypoadiponectinemia group (P=0.037). In multivariate Cox regression analysis from hypoadiponectinemia, well-known risk factors and coronary artery stenosis score, hypoadiponectinemia was an independent predictor of MACCE in patients with CAD (RR 0.43; 95%CI, 0.246 to 0.758; P=0.003). Kaplan–Meier survival analysis curve suggested that patients with lower adiponectin concentrations had a decreased event free survival ratio (log-rankχ=4.592, P=0.032). Conclusion:The results indicate a potential association betweenplasma adiponectin levels and cardiovascular prognosis in patients with CAD.

Effect of macronutrients, age, and obesity on 6- and 24-h postprandial glucose metabolism in cats

Obesity and age are risk factors for feline diabetes. This study aimed to test the hypothesis that age, long-term obesity, and dietary composition would lead to peripheral and hepatorenal insulin resistance, indicated by higher endogenous glucose production (EGP) in the fasted and postprandial state, higher blood glucose and insulin, and higher leptin, free thyroxine, and lower adiponectin concentrations. Using triple tracer-(2)H(2)O, [U-(13)C(3)] propionate, and [3,4-(13)C(2)] glucose infusion, and indirect calorimetry-we investigated carbohydrate and fat metabolic pathways in overnight-fasted neutered cats (13 young lean, 12 old lean, and 12 old obese), each fed three different diets (high protein with and without polyunsaturated fatty acids, and high carbohydrate) in a crossover design. EGP was lowest in fasted and postprandial obese cats despite peripheral insulin resistance, indicated by hyperinsulinemia. Gluconeogenesis was the most important pathway for EGP in all groups, but glycogen contributed significantly. Insulin and leptin concentrations were higher in old than in young lean cats; adiponectin was lowest in obese cats but surprisingly highest in lean old cats. Diet had little effect on metabolic parameters. We conclude that hepatorenal insulin resistance does not develop in the fasted or postprandial state, even in long-term obese cats, allowing the maintenance of euglycemia through lowering EGP. Glycogen plays a major role in EGP, especially in lean fasted cats, and in the postprandial state. Aging may predispose to insulin resistance, which is a risk factor for diabetes in cats. Mechanisms underlying the high adiponectin of healthy old lean cats need to be further explored.

The association of circulating adiponectin levels with pancreatic cancer risk: A study within the prospective EPIC cohort

Excess body weight and type 2 diabetes mellitus, risk factors of pancreatic cancer, are characterized by decreased levels of adiponectin. In addition to anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferative actions, adiponectin has an important role in regulating glucose metabolism, i.e., decreasing circulating blood glucose levels. Prospectively, hyperglycemia has been associated with risk of pancreatic cancer. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of pre-diagnostic adiponectin levels with pancreatic cancer risk. We conducted a case-control study nested within European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition. Blood samples of 452 pancreatic cancer cases and 452 individually matched controls were analyzed by immunoassays. Multivariate conditional logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Overall, adiponectin showed no association with pancreas cancer risk; however, among never smokers, higher circulating levels of adiponectin were associated with a reduction in pancreatic cancer risk (OR = 0.44 [95% CI 0.23-0.82] for highest vs. lowest quartile), whereas among current smokers there was no significant association (OR = 1.59 [95% CI 0.67-3.76] for highest vs. lowest quartile; p-trend = 0.530; p-interaction = 0.309). In our study, lower adiponectin concentrations may be associated with the development of pancreatic cancer among never smokers, whereas the only other prospective study being conducted so far showed a decrease in risk among male smokers. Therefore, further studies are needed to clarify the role of adiponectin in pancreatic cancer development.

Lipodystrophy, Insulin Resistance, and Adiponectin Concentration in HIV-Infected Children and Adolescents

Alterations of fat distribution and insulin resistance are associated with increased risk of metabolic derangements and cardiovascular disease. HIV-infected adult patients on antiretroviral treatment often show lipodystrophy, insulin resistance and hypoadiponectinemia, but data in children are controversial. We investigated serum adiponectin concentration in a cohort of HIV-infected youths, and we assessed the relationships with lipodystrophy and insulin resistance. We studied 36 HIV-infected patients (aged 5.0 - 19.4 years), and 171 healthy subjects (aged 4.9 - 17.9 years) for adiponectin measurements. All patients underwent body composition assessment by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry, and an oral glucose tolerance test to determine the fasting insulin concentration, the insulin area under the curve (AUC), and the HOMA index. Adiponectin serum concentration was measured by an immunoenzymatic assay. Sixteen patients had central fat accumulation, 6 had peripheral lipoatrophy, 5 had a mixed phenotype, and the remaining 9 were non-lipodystrophic. Fasting insulin, insulin AUC, and HOMA index were significantly higher in patients with central fat adiposity and mixed phenotype than in the other two groups. The patients of the former two groups had adiponectin concentration much lower than healthy controls, and patients with peripheral lipoatrophy or normal phenotype had normal concentration. Low adiponectin concentration is associated to central fat and mixed lipohypertrophy, and to signs of insulin resistance in HIV-infected youths. Strict monitoring of metabolic and cardiovascular evolution should be performed in these patients.

Portal vein and systemic adiponectin concentrations are closely linked with hepatic glucose and lipoprotein kinetics in extremely obese subjects

Low systemic plasma adiponectin concentrations are associated with abnormalities in hepatic glucose and lipoprotein metabolism in obese people. However, the relationship between the delivery of adiponectin to the liver via the portal vein and hepatic glucose and lipoprotein metabolism is not known. We examined the relationship between hepatic substrate metabolism (glucose rate of appearance into plasma and hepatic very low-density lipoprotein [VLDL]–triglyceride [TG] and VLDL–apolipoprotein B-100 [apoB-100] secretion rates, determined by using stable isotope-labeled tracer techniques) and portal vein adiponectin concentration, in 8 insulin-resistant, extremely obese subjects (body mass index, 65 ± 7 kg/m 2). Portal vein adiponectin concentration was inversely associated with basal glucose rate of appearance ( r = −0.820, P = .013) and VLDL-TG ( r = −0.823, P = .012) and VLDL–apoB-100 ( r = −0.787, P = .020) secretion rates. Very similar correlations were obtained for radial artery adiponectin as a result of a mirroring relationship between portal and arterial adiponectin concentrations ( r = 0.899, P = .002) and the absence of significant arteriovenous concentration differences ( P = .570). Insulin resistance, assessed with the homeostasis model assessment score, was also strongly associated with hepatic glucose and lipid metabolic parameters, as well as with adiponectin concentrations in the portal vein and radial artery. These results suggest that adiponectin delivery to the liver, whether via the portal or the systemic circulation, may be an important regulator of basal hepatic glucose, VLDL-TG, and VLDL–apoB-100 production rates in obese people, possibly through direct effects on the liver or changes in hepatic insulin sensitivity. However, portal vein adiponectin does not appear to be superior to arterial adiponectin as a marker of hepatic metabolic dysregulation. Additional studies are needed to elucidate the mechanism(s) responsible for the strong association we observed between adiponectin and hepatic substrate metabolism.

Adiponectin and Risk of Coronary Heart Disease in Apparently Healthy Men and Women (from the EPIC-Norfolk Prospective Population Study)

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the association between adiponectin levels and incidence of coronary heart disease (CHD). We performed a prospective case-control analysis nested in the EPIC-Norfolk cohort. Participants were apparently healthy men and women 45 to 79 years of age who developed fatal or nonfatal CHD during an average follow-up period of 7.7 ± 1.1 years. In total 1,035 participants with incident CHD were matched for age, gender, and enrollment time to 1,920 controls who remained free of CHD over the study follow-up. Baseline nonfasting plasma adiponectin concentrations were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Adiponectin levels were lower in participants with CHD than in matched controls (men 8.74 vs 9.13 μg/ml, p = 0.01; women 12.6 vs 13.4 μg/ml, p = 0.03). A 1-μg/ml increment in adiponectin was associated with decreased CHD risk (odds ratio 0.78, 95% confidence interval 0.63 to 0.96, p = 0.02, in men; odds ratio 0.73, 95% confidence interval 0.55 to 0.96, p = 0.03, in women). However, this association was no longer significant after adjustment for established cardiovascular risk factors. Stratification of participants according to metabolic syndrome status showed that men and women with metabolic syndrome had a higher CHD risk, irrespective of their adiponectin levels. In conclusion, although a low adiponectin concentration is associated with an increased CHD risk, findings of the present study do not suggest that its measurement is useful to refine CHD risk assessment once traditional risk factors and clinical features of the metabolic syndrome have been considered.

Aging-Associated Changes in Physical Performance and Energy Metabolism in the Senescence-Accelerated Mouse

The aim of the study was to clarify the aging-associated changes in physical performance and energy metabolism in senescence-accelerated prone mouse (SAMP1). The endurance of aged SAMP1 was significantly lower by 28% than the age-matched senescence-resistant mouse (SAMR1). Oxygen consumption and fat oxidation in aged SAMP1 were lower by 19% and 22%, respectively. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ coactivator-1β and medium-chain acyl coenzyme A dehydrogenase messenger RNA expression was significantly lower in aged SAMP1. Aged SAMP1 exhibited higher plasma glucose, insulin, leptin, and lower adiponectin concentrations. Aged SAMP1 also had higher malondialdehyde levels in plasma and tissues and lower peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ messenger RNA and protein levels in adipose tissue. These results indicate that physical performance and energy expenditure decrease earlier with aging in SAMP1, accompanied by decreased fatty acid catabolism in muscle and liver and increased inflammation and oxidative stress in adipose tissue. SAMP1 could thus be a useful accelerated functional depression model for studying physical performance and energy metabolism.

Decrease in Serum Adiponectin Levels Associated with Visceral Fat Accumulation Independent of Pubertal Stage in Children and Adolescents

Childhood obesity is an important risk factor for the development of insulin resistance (IR) and its co-morbidities. However, visceral adipose tissue (VAT) rather than obesity appears to have a determining role in the development of IR. Adiponectin is considered a key molecule for protection against metabolic abnormalities related to IR. Several studies have documented that lower adiponectin concentrations are related to VAT, but the results are still controversial. We undertook this study to assess the association between VAT and adiponectin concentrations with respect to body mass index (BMI) and pubertal stage in children and adolescents. Eighty five subjects were studied (46 prepubertal and 39 pubertal) and classified according to BMI into obese and normal weight groups. All participants were given a clinical examination. Glucose, insulin, lipid profile and adiponectin were measured. VAT was estimated using helical computed tomography. In the prepubertal group, obese children had lower adiponectin concentrations than nonobese subjects (p <0.001) but not in pubertal group (p = 0.67). When the total population was subclassified according to VAT, those with higher VAT had greater systolic and diastolic blood pressure, triglycerides, post-load glucose, insulin and HOMA-IR (p <0.001) compared to those with less VAT. HDL-C and adiponectin values trends to diminish as VAT increased (p = 0.005 and p = 0.015, respectively). Adiponectin concentrations are inversely associated with VAT in children. The higher amount of VAT is related to metabolic abnormalities including lower values of adiponectin, which could confer a greater risk of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease.

P.26 Evaluation of risk factors in women with breast carcinoma who developed venous thromboembolism

P.26 Evaluation of risk factors in women with breast carcinoma who developed venous thromboembolism

Waist circumference, ghrelin and selected adipose tissue-derived adipokines as predictors of insulin resistance in obese patients: Preliminary results

SummaryBackgroundThe aim of the study was to estimate the association between anthropometric obesity parameters, serum concentrations of ghrelin, resistin, leptin, adiponectin and homeostasis model assessment (HOMA-IR) in obese non-diabetic insulin-sensitive and insulin-resistant patients.Material/MethodsStudy subjects included 37 obese (body mass index [BMI] ≥30 kg/m2) out-clinic patients aged 25 to 66 years. Insulin resistance was evaluated by HOMA-IR. Serum fasting concentrations of glucose, insulin, ghrelin, adiponectin, resistin and leptin were measured by using the ELISA method. Body weight, waist and hip circumferences were measured to calculate BMI and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) values for all the patients. According to HOMA-IR, patients were divided into two groups: A, insulin sensitive (n=19); and B, insulin resistant (n=18).ResultsPatients with insulin resistance have greater mean waist circumference (WC) higher mean serum insulin level and leptin concentration, but lower concentrations of adiponectin and ghrelin. In the insulin-sensitive patient group we observed positive correlations between BMI and HOMA-IR, WC and HOMA-IR, and adiponectin and leptin, and negative correlations between ghrelin and HOMA-IR, WC and adiponectin, and WHR and adiponectin. In the insulin-resistant group, there was a positive correlation between resistin and ghrelin and a negative correlation between WHR and leptin.ConclusionsWaist circumference, adiponectin, leptin and ghrelin are associated with insulin resistance and may be predictors of this pathology.

Adiponectin in relation to insulin sensitivity and insulin secretion in the development of type 2 diabetes: a prospective study in 64-year-old women

To examine how serum adiponectin levels predict the incidence of type 2 diabetes, from different prediabetic states, in relation to insulin sensitivity and β-cell function during 5.5 years of follow-up. In a population-based cohort of 64-year-old Caucasian women, we assessed glucose tolerance, insulin sensitivity as homeostasis model assessment, insulin secretion as acute insulin response, lifestyle factors and serum concentrations of adiponectin and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein. After 5.5 years of follow-up, 167 women with normal glucose tolerance (NGT) and 174 with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) at baseline were re-examined and incidence of diabetes was assessed. A total of 69 new cases of diabetes were detected during follow-up. Diabetes incidence was independently predicted by low levels of serum adiponectin, insulin resistance and insulin secretion, cigarette smoking, impaired fasting glucose (IFG) and IGT at baseline. Serum adiponectin below 11.54 g L(-1) was associated with an odds ratio of 3.6 (95% confidence interval 1.4-8.6) for future type 2 diabetes. At baseline, a high serum adiponectin concentration correlated positively with high levels of insulin sensitivity and insulin secretion. Women with incident diabetes had lower serum adiponectin levels in the NGT, IFG and IGT groups at baseline compared to those who did not develop diabetes during follow-up. Low adiponectin concentrations were associated with future diabetes independently of insulin secretion and sensitivity, as well as IGT, IFG, smoking and abdominal obesity.

Adiponectin Levels in Circulation and Breast Milk and mRNA Expression in Adipose Tissue of Preeclampsia Women

Objective. Physiological insulin resistance occurs in normal pregnancy and is exaggerated in women with preeclampsia (PE). Adiponectin is a hormone with insulin-sensitizing, anti-atherogenic, and anti-inflammatory properties. Reports published on association between adiponectin levels and PE risk have been conflicting. This study sought to better determine the circulating adiponectin levels and its mRNA expression in adipose tissue in women with PE. Methods. This report includes a cross-sectional study at a Chinese clinical research center and meta-analysis. The cross-sectional study included normal pregnancy women (n = 28) and PE women (n = 20) who underwent cesarean operation. Adiponectin concentrations in maternal serum, cord blood, and colostrums were determined by ELISA. Adiponectin mRNA expression levels in adipose tissue were measured by quantitative real-time PCR. Meta-analysis was done on 13 studies, including 302 PE women and 385 normal pregnancy women. Results. In comparison with controls, PE women had higher serum adiponectin concentrations in maternal blood and breast milk, but lower adiponectin concentration in cord blood. Adiponectin mRNA expression in the subcutaneous (Sc) and omental adipose tissues (OM) did not differ between the two groups of women. Meta-analysis confirms that the circulating adiponectin levels were elevated in PE women (p < 0.01). Conclusions. PE women had a higher adiponectin concentration in the maternal blood as well as breast milk but lower adiponectin concentration in umbilical cord blood when compared to women with normal pregnancy. The elevated circulating adiponectin levels in PE women are probably because of a reduced degradation/elimination rather than an increased synthesis of this hormone.

Plasma adiponectin concentration and left ventricular hypertrophy in kidney transplant patients

Low plasma adiponectin concentration is associated with more frequent occurrence of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) and more exaggerated intima-media thickness of common carotid artery (IMT). IMT is an early surrogate marker of atherosclerosis. This study aimed to assess the relationship between plasma adiponectin concentration and left ventricular mass index (LVMI) and IMT in kidney transplant patients (KTP). In 88 adult KTP, plasma adiponectin concentration, LVMI, and IMT were estimated. LVH was defined as LVMI >110 or >125 g/m(2) for females and males, respectively. Data presented are means and 95% CI. Plasma adiponectin concentration was similar in KTP with (n = 42) or without LVH (n = 46) (13.5 [11.4-15.6] vs. 13.1 [11.6-14.6] μg/mL, respectively), as well as in KTP subgroups divided according to the IMT value tertiles (p = 0.42) (11.7 [10.0-13.3], 14.2 [11.7-16.6], and 14.0 [11.7-16.4] μg/mL in the lowest, middle, and highest tertiles, respectively). Plasma glucose concentrations were similar in KTPs with LVH or without LVH. No significant correlation was found between plasma adiponectin concentration and both LVMI (R = -0.02; p = 0.87) and IMT (R = 0.09; p = 0.38), respectively. Results of this cross-sectional study do not confirm the roles of low adiponectin and high glucose in the pathogenesis of LVH and atherosclerosis in KTP.

Abstract A88: Differences in plasma and breast tissue adipokine levels by race and obesity status

Abstract Background: Adipokines, specifically leptin and adiponectin, are directly linked to obesity and it has been suggested that they may contribute to breast carcinogenesis as well. High plasma leptin and low adiponectin concentrations are associated with high levels of body fat, and similar associations have been reported for breast cancer risk. However, little is known about the concentrations of these hormones in breast tissue and if they influence the tissue microenvironment to modify breast cancer risk. Moreover, few studies have investigated racial/ethnic differences in adipokine concentrations and how these differences determine adipokine predictors in different groups. Methods: Plasma and breast tissues collected from one hundred twelve women (67 European American (EA) women and 45 African American (AA) women), without breast cancer, undergoing reduction mammoplasty surgery were analyzed for leptin and adiponectin concentrations. Tissue and plasma leptin and adiponectin were quantified by commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (R&amp;D Systems, Minneapolis, MN). Tissue adipokine concentrations were adjusted by total protein concentration (reported as nanograms of hormone per milligram of protein (ng/mg of protein)). Assays were highly reproducible and all CVs were ≤9.3%. Spearman rank correlation coefficients were used to describe associations between plasma and tissue adipokine concentrations as well as associations among adipokine concentrations and selected breast cancer risk variables. Two-way ANOVAs were used to determine associations between adipokine concentrations and race and obesity status. Results: Overall, AAs had significantly higher plasma and tissue leptin and lower plasma adiponectin concentrations than EAs. They also had significantly lower adiponectin to leptin ratios in both plasma and tissue. There was no significant difference in tissue adiponectin concentrations between EAs and AAs. Obese women had significantly higher plasma and tissue leptin than non-obese women, but no significant difference in plasma and tissue adiponectin concentrations were observed. Generally, there were several significant associations observed among plasma and tissue adipokines and selected breast cancer risk variables; however several of these associations were attenuated in AAs and non-obese women. Plasma and tissue leptin correlated well in EAs, but not in AAs. There was no correlation between plasma and tissue adiponectin concentrations in any individual group, but when combined there was a marginal association. Conclusions: We found differences by race/ethnicity and by obesity status in adipokines in tissue and blood. Additionally, we found a lack of association between circulating adiponectin and breast tissue levels for AA women. If adipokines play a role in carcinogenesis in the breast, there may be effect modification by race/ethnicity and by body weight. Citation Information: Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2010;19(10 Suppl):A88.

Adiponectin is related with carotid artery intima-media thickness and brachial flow-mediated dilatation in young adults—The Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns Study

Aims. Adiponectin may be involved in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. We investigated the relation of adiponectin on early functional and structural markers of subclinical atherosclerosis in a large population-based cohort of young men and women.Methods and results. We measured serum adiponectin using radioimmunoassay in 2,147 young adults (ages 24–39 years) participating in the Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns Study. The subjects had ultrasound data on carotid intima-media thickness (IMT), carotid artery elasticity (n = 2,139) and brachial flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) (n = 1,996). In univariate analysis, adiponectin was inversely associated with IMT (r = −0.16, P < 0.0001) and directly with FMD (r = 0.12, P < 0.0001) and carotid elasticity (r = 0.20, P < 0.0001). The associations for IMT and FMD remained significant in multivariable models adjusted for age, sex, obesity indices, serum lipids, blood pressure, leptin, glucose, and C-reactive protein: IMT (β = −0.018 ± 0.005, P = 0.0002) and FMD (β = 0.72 ± 0.25, P = 0.004). The relation between adiponectin and carotid elasticity attenuated to non-significant after adjusting for waist circumference and systolic blood pressure.Conclusion. In young healthy adults, low serum adiponectin concentration is independently related with increased carotid IMT and attenuated brachial FMD, supporting the role of adiponectin in the pathogenesis of early atherosclerosis.