Genetic and environmental factors influencing fasting serum adiponectin in Hispanic children.
BACKGROUND
Because of its antiinflammatory and insulin-sensitizing properties, adiponectin may play a role in the development of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes.


OBJECTIVE
The aims of these analyses were: 1) to estimate the heritability of fasting serum adiponectin; 2) to evaluate the effects of age, sex, and body composition on fasting serum adiponectin; 3) to test for associations between fasting serum adiponectin and diet, fitness, energy expenditure, and fat oxidation; and 4) to determine the relationships between fasting serum adiponectin, insulin and lipids, and blood pressure in Hispanic children.


METHODS
Genetic and environmental factors influencing fasting serum adiponectin were investigated in a cohort of children participating in the VIVA LA FAMILIA Study in 2000-2005.


METHODS
This study was performed at the Children's Nutrition Research Center.


METHODS
The study participants were 805 Hispanic nonoverweight and overweight children, ages 4-19 yr.


METHODS
The main measure of the study was fasting serum adiponectin.


RESULTS
The heritability of serum adiponectin was 0.93 +/- 0.10 (P = 2.4 x 10(-40)). Adiponectin differed by age (P = 0.001), sex (P = 0.04), and weight (P = 0.001) status. Adiponectin levels declined with age, in association with changes in sex hormones and growth factors. Adiponectin was not associated with macronutrient intake, fitness, 24-h energy expenditure, or fat oxidation. Controlling for age, sex, and percent fat mass, adiponectin was inversely associated with homeostasis model of insulin resistance, triglycerides (TG)/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and systolic blood pressure (P = 0.001). Significant positive genetic correlations were detected between adiponectin and total cholesterol (rho(G) = 0.19), HDL-C (rho(G) = 0.32), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (rho(G) = 0.24), and IGF-binding protein-1 (rho(G) = 0.39), and negative genetic correlations were detected between adiponectin and leptin (rho(G) = -0.30), TG (rho(G) = -0.21), TG/HDL-C (rho(G) = -0.33), and IGF-binding protein-3 (rho(G) = -0.32), indicating shared genetic components in their expression.


CONCLUSIONS
The high heritability of adiponectin and pleiotropy seen between adiponectin and leptin, growth factors, and lipids may play a role in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes in overweight Hispanic children.
Butte
Nancy F
NF
U.S. Department of Agriculture/Agricultural Research Service Children's Nutrition Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, 1100 Bates Street, Houston, Texas 77030, USA. nbutte@bcm.tmc.edu
Comuzzie
Anthony G
AG
Cai
Gouwen
G
Cole
Shelley A
SA
Mehta
Nitesh R
NR
Bacino
Carlos A
CA
D052242:Adiponectin; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000209:etiology; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D005215:Fasting / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006630:Hispanic or Latino; D006801:Humans; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000097:blood*; D008126:Lod Score; D008297:Male
D052242:Adiponectin; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D002784:Cholesterol