title: Increased total and high-molecular weight adiponectin after extended-release niacin.
abstract: Niacin has recently been shown to increase serum total concentrations of the adipocyte-derived protein adiponectin. Adiponectin possesses important vascular anti-inflammatory and metabolic properties that have been attributed to the active high-molecular weight (HMW) complex of the protein. Our purpose was to examine the influence of extended-release niacin on the distribution of HMW and low-molecular weight (LMW) adiponectin complexes. Fifteen men with the metabolic syndrome were treated for 6 weeks with extended-release niacin. Serum total adiponectin concentrations increased by 46% after the niacin intervention (P < .05). High-molecular weight adiponectin accounted for 63% of the increase in total adiponectin, which was reflected by a shift in the HMW/LMW adiponectin ratio from 0.69 to 0.86 (+25%) (P < .05). Serum insulin concentrations increased by 20% after the niacin intervention despite an increase in HMW adiponectin concentrations (P < .05). These results suggest that the increase in total adiponectin concentrations observed with extended-release niacin is primarily due to an increase in the active HMW complex. Therefore, at least part of the cardioprotective benefits of niacin may be attributed to a shift in the HMW/LMW adiponectin ratio in obese men with the metabolic syndrome.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Pharmacology, Boshell Diabetes and Metabolic Diseases Research Program, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA.
authors.forename: Eric P
authors.initials: EP
authors.lastname: Plaisance
authors.forename: Peter W
authors.initials: PW
authors.lastname: Grandjean
authors.forename: Brandon L
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Brunson
authors.forename: Robert L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Judd
mesh_terms: D052242:Adiponectin / Q000097:blood* / Q000737:chemistry; D000328:Adult; D001823:Body Composition / Q000502:physiology; D001835:Body Weight / Q000502:physiology; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000097:blood; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007333:Insulin Resistance / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000097:blood; D008875:Middle Aged; D008970:Molecular Weight; D009525:Niacin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D052242:Adiponectin; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents; D009525:Niacin