title: Carotid intima media thickness is associated with plasma adiponectin but not with the leptin:adiponectin ratio independently of metabolic syndrome.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  A recent report showed no benefit of the leptin:adiponectin ratio (L:A ratio) over individual adipokine levels in CHD prediction [8]. We determined associations of carotid intima media thickness (IMT) with the L:A ratio taking account of cardiovascular risk factors in a high risk population.
  
  
  METHODS
  IMT, plasma leptin, adiponectin and the L:A ratio were determined in 161 middle-aged men and women (45% metabolic syndrome).
  
  
  RESULTS
  IMT was associated inversely with adiponectin and positively with the L:A ratio in age- and sex-adjusted multiple linear regression analyses (P<0.001 for both). After controlling for metabolic syndrome, the independent association with adiponectin remained (P<0.001), but the relationship with the L:A ratio disappeared (P=0.126). Results were similar after additional adjustment for diabetes status or for insulin resistance.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study does not support the preferential use of the leptin:adiponectin ratio as a marker of atherosclerosis susceptibility.
authors.affiliation: Department of Endocrinology, University Medical Centre Groningen and University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands. r.p.f.dullaart@int.umcg.nl
authors.forename: Robin P F
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Dullaart
authors.forename: Paul J W H
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Kappelle
authors.forename: Geesje M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Dallinga-Thie
mesh_terms: D052242:Adiponectin / Q000097:blood*; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000097:blood; D002339:Carotid Arteries / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006801:Humans; D020738:Leptin / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000097:blood*; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012307:Risk Factors; D017539:Tunica Intima / Q000473:pathology*; D017540:Tunica Media / Q000473:pathology*
chemical_list: D052242:Adiponectin; D020738:Leptin