Metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance and adiponectin level in patients with chronic hepatitis C.
OBJECTIVE
To assess insulin resistance and adiponectin profile in patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC), according to the presence or absence of metabolic syndrome (MS).


METHODS
One hundred and fifty-two patients with histologically proven CHC, genotype I were prospectively studied. Parameters of MS according to the IDF criteria were evaluated. Insulin resistance was established by homeostasis model assessment (HOMA-IR]. An index > or = 2.0 was designated as IR and > or = 4 as prediabetic state. Serum adiponectin levels were measured by ELISA:


RESULTS
MS was found in 61.48% of cases. HOMA-IR was significantly higher in patients with CHC and MS vs those without MS (7.88 +/- 1.11 vs 4.29 +/- 0.5, p=0.023]. Adiponectin levels had an inverse behaviour (9,946.1 +/- 5,811 ng/ml vs 13,215.5 +/- 815.5 ng/ml, p< 0.001]. By multiple linear regression analysis the independent predictors associated with HOMA-IR > or = 4 in patients with CHC and MS were visceral obesity, adiponectin levels, activity and degree of steatosis. Only visceral obesity and HOMA-IR were independently associated with adiponectin. A significant negative correlation was established between adiponectin and insulin (r = -0.169, p=0.003] and between adiponectin and HOMA-IR (r = -0.188, p=0.02].


CONCLUSIONS
CHC with MS was associated with a higher insulin resistance and lower adiponectin level. Adiponectin level and insulin resistance were significantly correlated.
Grigorescu
Mircea
M
3rd Medical Clinic, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Croitorilor Street 19-21, Cluj-Napoca, Romania. mdgrigorescu@yahoo.com
Radu
Corina
C
Crişan
Dana
D
Grigorescu
Mircea Dan
MD
Serban
Alexandru
A
Neculoiu
Dana
D
Rusu
Margareta
M
Acalovschi
Monica
M
D052242:Adiponectin / Q000097:blood*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D001706:Biopsy; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D015992:Body Mass Index; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D007333:Insulin Resistance / Q000502:physiology*; D008099:Liver / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
D052242:Adiponectin; D015415:Biomarkers; D001786:Blood Glucose; D007328:Insulin