Association of adiponectin multimers with Barrett's oesophagus.
OBJECTIVE
Barrett's oesophagus is associated with abdominal obesity. Adiponectin is a peptide that is secreted from adipocytes and circulates in three multimeric forms: low molecular weight (LMW), middle molecular weight (MMW), and high molecular weight (HMW). The anti-inflammatory effects of adiponectin are specific to individual multimers, with LMW being most anti-inflammatory. We postulated that circulating levels of adiponectin and its multimers would be associated with the risk of Barrett's oesophagus.


METHODS
Cross-sectional study.


METHODS
Outpatient clinic in North Carolina, USA.


METHODS
Cases of Barrett's oesophagus and controls undergoing upper endoscopy for gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD).


METHODS
Adjusted odds ratios of plasma adiponectin levels and its multimers for Barrett's oesophagus.


RESULTS
There were 112 cases of Barrett's oesophagus and 199 GORD controls. Total adiponectin was not associated with Barrett's oesophagus (3(rd) tertile vs 1(st) tertile adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 0.88; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.44 to 1.78). High levels of LMW adiponectin were associated with a decreased risk of Barrett's oesophagus (3(rd) tertile vs 1(st) tertile aOR = 0.33; 95% CI, 0.16 to 0.69), and a high LMW/total ratio appeared particularly inversely associated with Barrett's oesophagus (3(rd) tertile vs 1(st) tertile aOR = 0.27; 95% CI, 0.13 to 0.58).


CONCLUSIONS
High levels of LMW adiponectin are associated with a decreased risk of Barrett's oesophagus among patients with GORD. Further human studies are required to confirm these findings, and in vitro studies are needed to understand if there is a mechanism whereby adiponectin may affect Barrett's metaplasia.
Rubenstein
J H
JH
VA Medical Center 111-D, Ann Arbor, MI 48105, USA. jhr@umich.edu
Kao
J Y
JY
Madanick
R D
RD
Zhang
M
M
Wang
M
M
Spacek
M B
MB
Donovan
J L
JL
Bright
S D
SD
Shaheen
N J
NJ
D052242:Adiponectin / Q000097:blood* / Q000737:chemistry; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000886:Anthropometry / Q000379:methods; D001471:Barrett Esophagus / Q000097:blood* / Q000209:etiology; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D015986:Confounding Factors, Epidemiologic; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D006946:Hyperinsulinism / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008970:Molecular Weight; D017678:Sex Distribution; D055815:Young Adult
D052242:Adiponectin; D015415:Biomarkers