Disparity in circulating adiponectin multimers between term and preterm infants.
OBJECTIVE
To study circulating levels and distribution of adiponectin multimers [low molecular weight (LMW)-, medium molecular weight (MMW)- and high molecular weight (HMW)-adiponectin] in preterm and full-term infants.


METHODS
Total serum adiponectin and its multimers were measured in 40 healthy infants at the age of one month and associations with anthropometric parameters [body weight and length, body mass index (BMI)], weight gain and metabolic indices (glucose, insulin) were examined. Twenty of the infants were born preterm (gestational age 33.2+/-1.6 weeks).


RESULTS
LMW-adiponectin level and its fractional ratio to total adiponectin were significantly higher in full-term than in preterm infants (P<0.001 and P<0.01, respectively), whereas, MMW-adiponectin level and its ratio were significantly lower (P=0.03 and P=0.01, respectively). HMW-adiponectin did not differ significantly between full-term and preterm infants and accounted for almost 60% of total adiponectin levels in both groups. HMW-adiponectin, but not MMW adiponectin or LMW adiponectin, correlated significantly with anthropometric measurements, similarly to total adiponectin; in addition, HMW adiponectin correlated significantly with weight gain.


CONCLUSIONS
HMW adiponectin is the most prevalent form in infants. Circulating levels and distribution of MMW- and LMW-adiponectin differ between full-term and preterm infants, but the role of these adiponectin multimers needs to be studied further.
Siahanidou
Tania
T
Neonatal Unit, First Department of Pediatrics, Athens University Medical School, Athens, Greece. neonat5@paidon-agiasofia.gr
Margeli
Alexandra
A
Garatzioti
Maria
M
Davradou
Maria
M
Apostolakou
Filia
F
Papassotiriou
Ioannis
I
Mandyla
Helen
H
D052242:Adiponectin / Q000097:blood / Q000737:chemistry; D001724:Birth Weight; D015992:Body Mass Index; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008970:Molecular Weight; D011247:Pregnancy; D020836:Protein Structure, Quaternary; D015430:Weight Gain
C499918:ADIPOQ protein, human; D052242:Adiponectin