title: Is adiponectin a marker of preclinical atherosclerosis in kidney transplantation?
abstract: The aim of this study was to analyze the relationship between pre-transplant adiponectin (pre-ADP), abnormalities in glucose homeostasis (AGH) at three months post-transplantation, and preclinical atherosclerosis in non-diabetic patients prior to kidney transplantation (KT).
  
  
  METHODS
  We carried out a multicenter study in 157 non-diabetic KT patients (66.5% men; age: 50±13 yr). Pre-ADP levels were analyzed using radioimmunoassay. Carotid ultrasound was performed to determine carotid intima-media thickness (c-IMT). Oral glucose tolerance test was carried out to classify patients according ADA criteria.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the patients, 52.8% had AGH. Median pre-ADP was 19.5 (14-27) μg/mL. An inverse correlation was found between ADP and HOMA index (r=-0.432; p<0.001). Median c-IMT was 0.6 (0.48-0.71) mm. Significant inverse correlation existed between ADP and c-IMT on both sides (p<0.05). Patients with c-IMT >0.6 mm had more AGH (p=0.012) and lower ADP levels (p=0.02). We performed a logistic regression analysis using preclinical atherosclerosis (c-IMT ≥0.6 mm) as dependent variable and sex, age, BMI, ADP, AGH, and HOMA index as independent variables of altered c-IMT. Age, pre-ADP, and AGH were independent risk factors for elevated c-IMT.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients with AGH have a greater presence of preclinical atherosclerosis. ADP has an inverse relationship with AGH and is an independent marker of preclinical atherosclerosis.
authors.affiliation: Nephrology Department, Hospital Germans Trias i Pujol, UAB, Badalona, Spain. acanas.germanstrias@gencat.cat
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Cañas
authors.forename: Beatriz
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Bayés
authors.forename: Maria L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Granada
authors.forename: Meritxell
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ibernon
authors.forename: Esteban
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Porrini
authors.forename: Rosa
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Benítez
authors.forename: Juan M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Díaz
authors.forename: Ricardo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lauzurica
authors.forename: Francesc
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Moreso
authors.forename: Armando
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Torres
authors.forename: Ildefonso
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Lampreabe
authors.forename: Assumpta
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Serra
authors.forename: Ramon
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Romero
mesh_terms: D052242:Adiponectin / Q000097:blood*; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D002339:Carotid Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D059168:Carotid Intima-Media Thickness; D005260:Female; D006706:Homeostasis; D006801:Humans; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018616:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Duplex
chemical_list: D052242:Adiponectin; D015415:Biomarkers; D001786:Blood Glucose