Sex hormone-binding globulin predicts the incidence of hyperglycemia in women: interactions with adiponectin levels.
OBJECTIVE
Previous evidence has suggested that a low sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) concentration is associated with insulin-resistance and a low adiponectin concentration. We investigated the association between SHBG and the risk of hyperglycemia in each sex and we determined potential interactions between SHBG and adiponectin levels in the development of dysglycemia.


METHODS
We used a nested case-control design in the large prospective study, Data from an Epidemiological Study on the Insulin Resistance Syndrome (DESIR). We studied 227 men and women who were normoglycemic at baseline but hyperglycemic at 3 years (glycemia > or = 6.1 mmol/l or type 2 diabetes). They were matched for sex, age, and body mass index with 227 subjects who remained normoglycemic at 3 years.


RESULTS
At baseline, the concentration of SHBG was significantly lower in women who subsequently developed hyperglycemia than in those who remained normoglycemic, with no difference for men. In multiple regression, SHBG at baseline was as an independent determinant of plasma adiponectin levels, in both women (P<0.0001) and men (P=0.002). In multivariate conditional logistic regression taking into account physical activity and changes in waist circumference over the follow-up, plasma SHBG remained significantly associated with the development of hyperglycemia in women but not in men. These associations persisted after adjustment for fasting insulinemia, high fasting glucose, and adiponectin levels.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings suggest that a low SHBG level is a strong risk marker for dysglycemia in women, independently of both adiponectinemia and insulinemia. SHBG may therefore improve the identification of women at risk of diabetes.
Bonnet
F
F
Endocrinology Unit, Department of Medicine, CHU Rennes, Université Rennes 1, INSERM U625, 35000 Rennes, France. fabrice.bonnet@chu-rennes.fr
Balkau
B
B
Malécot
J M
JM
Picard
P
P
Lange
C
C
Fumeron
F
F
Aubert
R
R
Raverot
V
V
Déchaud
H
H
Tichet
J
J
Lecomte
P
P
Pugeat
M
M
D052242:Adiponectin / Q000097:blood; D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D015992:Body Mass Index; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006943:Hyperglycemia / Q000097:blood* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin / Q000378:metabolism*
C499918:ADIPOQ protein, human; D052242:Adiponectin; D015415:Biomarkers; D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin