Plasma adiponectin levels are associated with left ventricular hypertrophy in a random sample of middle-aged subjects.
BACKGROUND
A low adiponectin level is associated with high blood pressure which, in turn, often results in left ventricular hypertrophy. We evaluated the association between plasma adiponectin concentrations and echocardiographic measurements, including left ventricular mass index (LVMI), in 933 middle-aged subjects consisting of 453 hypertensives and 480 controls.


METHODS
Plasma adiponectin concentrations were measured with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method. One experienced cardiologist performed echocardiographic examinations, and LVMI was calculated according to Devereux's method.


RESULTS
Low plasma adiponectin levels were independently associated with increased intraventricular septum thickness, posterior ventricular wall thickness, and left ventricular mass index (P<0.001) in the whole cohort. In the subgroup analysis, the association between these echocardiographic parameters and adiponectin concentrations was observed only in the hypertensive cohort although fractional shortening revealed an association with adiponectin levels also in the control cohort (P=0.021). Findings remained significant after adjustment for the major risk factors for LVMI, such as age, sex, smoking, and systolic blood pressure.


CONCLUSIONS
This study in a large population sample detected an association between low plasma adiponectin concentration and LVMI, a marker of left ventricular hypertrophy. This association may be one of the factors that could explain the reported increased cardiovascular risk in subjects with low adiponectin levels.
Pääkkö
Tero
T
Institute of Clinical Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine and Biocenter Oulu, University of Oulu, and Clinical Research Center, Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, Finland.
Ukkola
Olavi
O
Ikäheimo
Markku
M
Kesäniemi
Y Antero
YA
D052242:Adiponectin / Q000097:blood*; D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004452:Echocardiography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000097:blood; D017379:Hypertrophy, Left Ventricular / Q000097:blood* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
D052242:Adiponectin; D015415:Biomarkers