Adiponectin serum levels correlate with insulin resistance in type 2 diabetic patients

The adipose tissue is not only an inert storage depot for lipids, but also it secretes a variety of bioactive molecules, known as adipokines, which affect whole-body homeostasis. Adiponectin is the most abundant of these adipocytokines and is known to have a regulatory effect on the metabolism of glucose and lipid. The main objectives of this study were to evaluate the serum levels of adiponectin and to establish a correlation between adiponectin serum levels and the degree of insulin resistance in type 2 diabetic patients. Eighty participants were enrolled in this study; 61 type 2 diabetic patients and 19 apparently healthy subjects. Serum level of adiponectin was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for each participant. Data collection sheet was filled with all required information for each participant. Adiponectin level in the diabetic patients (5.05 +/- 2.61 mu g/ml) was lower than in non-diabetic healthy controls (5.71 +/- 2.35 mu g/ml). When the results were compared according to gender, diabetic females showed significantly higher adiponectin levels (5.76 +/- 2.64 mu g/ml) than diabetic males (4.366 +/- 2.43 mu g/ml, P = 0.035). In addition, female diabetic patients with abdominal obesity (waist circumference (WC) >= 88 cm) had lower adiponectin levels (5.58 +/- 2.58 mu g/ml) than diabetic females without abdominal obesity (6.96 +/- 3.12 mu g/ml). The correlation analysis indicated that adiponectin had a significant positive correlation with age (r = -0.450, P < 0.001). In conclusion, female diabetic patients had a statistically significant higher adiponectin level than male diabetic patients which could indicate a gender effect. Adiponectin levels were inversely related to insulin resistance; as patients with abdominal obesity had lower serum levels of adiponectin. (C) 2014 The Authors. Production and hosting by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of King Saud University.