Relationship of serum adiponectin and leptin concentrations with body fat distribution in humans.
OBJECTIVE
We investigated whether serum concentrations of adiponectin are determined by body fat distribution and compared the findings with leptin.


METHODS
Serum concentrations of adiponectin and leptin were measured by radioimmunoassay (n = 394) and analyzed for correlation with sex, age, and body fat distribution, i.e., waist-to-hip ratio, waist and hip circumference, and subcutaneous adipose tissue area of the lower leg as assessed by magnetic resonance imaging.


RESULTS
After adjusting for sex and percentage of body fat, adiponectin was negatively (r = -0.17, p < 0.001) and leptin was positively (r = 0.22, p < 0.001) correlated with waist-to-hip ratio. Leptin, but not adiponectin, correlated with both waist (r = 0.49, p < 0.001) and hip circumference (r = 0.46, p < 0.001). Furthermore, leptin, but not adiponectin, correlated with the proportion of subcutaneous fat of the lower leg cross-sectional area (r = 0.37, p < 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
These data suggest that both adipocytokines are associated with central body fat distribution, and serum adiponectin concentrations are determined predominantly by the visceral fat compartment.
Staiger
Harald
H
Department of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Pathobiochemistry, Medical Clinic, Eberhard-Karls-University, Tübingen, Germany.
Tschritter
Otto
O
Machann
Jürgen
J
Thamer
Claus
C
Fritsche
Andreas
A
Maerker
Elke
E
Schick
Fritz
F
Häring
Hans-Ulrich
HU
Stumvoll
Michael
M
D052242:Adiponectin; D000273:Adipose Tissue; D000328:Adult; D001823:Body Composition; D001824:Body Constitution; D005215:Fasting; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D020738:Leptin / Q000097:blood*; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D011506:Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D014781:Viscera
D052242:Adiponectin; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D020738:Leptin; D011506:Proteins