Adiponectin predicts insulin resistance but not endothelial function in young, healthy adolescents.
BACKGROUND
Adiponectin, an adipocyte-derived hormone found in lower concentration with greater adiposity, is suggested to reduce the risk of insulin resistance, atherosclerosis, and cardiovascular disease. We tested this hypothesis in a healthy, nonobese population.


RESULTS
Brachial artery flow-mediated endothelial-dependent vasodilation and distensibility, measures of vascular function relevant to the early atherosclerotic process, were determined in 294 adolescents (aged 13-16 yr) using high-resolution vascular ultrasound. Fasting insulin concentration and the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance were used to estimate insulin resistance. Fat mass was measured by bioelectric impedance analysis; fasting serum adiponectin concentration by RIA; and lipid profile, fasting insulin, glucose, and C-reactive protein concentrations using standard laboratory techniques. Adiponectin concentration was associated with insulin resistance independent of potential confounding factors (e.g. -1.3% change in fasting insulin concentration per 10% increase in adiponectin concentration; 95% confidence interval, -2.4% to -0.1%; P = 0.03), but not with flow-mediated endothelial-dependent vasodilation or arterial distensibility.


CONCLUSIONS
Lower adiponectin concentration was associated with lower insulin sensitivity in a healthy, nonobese population. Our study supports the hypothesis that adiponectin benefits insulin sensitivity from a young age but, in contrast to experimental models and data from older subjects, does not affect vascular changes associated with early atherosclerosis.
Singhal
Atul
A
Medical Research Council, Childhood Nutrition Research Centre, Institute of Child Health, 30 Guilford Street, London WC1N 1EH, United Kingdom. a.singhal@ich.ucl.ac.uk
Jamieson
Nigel
N
Fewtrell
Mary
M
Deanfield
John
J
Lucas
Alan
A
Sattar
Naveed
N
D052242:Adiponectin; D000293:Adolescent; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood*; D001835:Body Weight; D001916:Brachial Artery / Q000502:physiology; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D017097:Electric Impedance; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012016:Reference Values; D012039:Regional Blood Flow / Q000502:physiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D014463:Ultrasonography
D052242:Adiponectin; D015415:Biomarkers; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins