Adiponectin in umbilical cord blood is inversely related to low-density lipoprotein cholesterol but not ethnicity.
BACKGROUND
Adiponectin is a recognized protective risk marker for cardiovascular disease in adults and is associated with an optimal lipid profile. The role of adiponectin at birth is not well understood, and its relationship with the neonatal lipid profile is unknown. Because ethnic disparities in cardiovascular risk have been attributed to low adiponectin and its associated low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), investigation at birth may help determine the etiology of these risk patterns.


OBJECTIVE
Our objective was to investigate the relationship between neonatal adiponectin and lipid profile at birth in two ethnic groups in cord blood.


METHODS
Seventy-four healthy mothers and their newborns of South Asian and White European origin were studied in this cross-sectional study at St. Mary's Hospital, Manchester, United Kingdom.


METHODS
Serum adiponectin, total cholesterol, HDL-C, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and triglyceride levels were measured in umbilical venous blood at birth and in maternal blood collected at 28 wk gestation.


RESULTS
Cord adiponectin was significantly inversely associated with cord LDL-C (r = -0.32; P = 0.005) but not HDL-C. In a multiple regression analysis, cord LDL-C remained the most significant association of cord adiponectin (beta = -0.13; P < 0.001). We did not find any significant ethnic differences in cord adiponectin or lipids with the exception of triglycerides, which were significantly lower in South Asian newborns (P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
This is the first report of an inverse relationship between cord adiponectin and LDL-C at birth. In contrast to adult studies, we found no significant association between adiponectin and HDL-C in cord blood. Our results and the strong independent association between adiponectin and HDL-C observed in adult studies suggest a role for adiponectin in lipid metabolism. Ethnic differences in adiponectin may arise after birth.
Bansal
Narinder
N
Clinical Epidemiology Group, University of Manchester Medical School, Stopford Building, Oxford Road, Manchester, United Kingdom. n.bansal@postgrad.manchester.ac.uk
Charlton-Menys
Valentine
V
Pemberton
Philip
P
McElduff
Patrick
P
Oldroyd
John
J
Vyas
Avni
A
Koudsi
Abir
A
Clayton
Peter E
PE
Cruickshank
J Kennedy
JK
Durrington
Paul N
PN
D052242:Adiponectin / Q000097:blood; D044466:Asian People; D015992:Body Mass Index; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D044465:White People
C499918:ADIPOQ protein, human; D052242:Adiponectin; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL