title: Gender differences in serum high-molecular-weight adiponectin levels in metabolic syndrome.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this study was to estimate gender-specific associations between metabolic syndrome (MS) and high-molecular-weight (HMW) adiponectin in an Estonian adult population.
  
  
  METHODS
  Plasma HMW adiponectin was measured in 458 subjects (191 men) who participated in a population-based cross-sectional multicenter study (n=495) on the prevalence of metabolic disorders in Estonia. MS was defined according to National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III criteria.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Median HMW adiponectin levels (μg/ml) were significantly lower among all subjects with MS compared with subjects without MS: 2.1 vs 2.8 in men (P=0.002) and 3.1 vs 5.1 in women (P<0.001). In a fully adjusted, logistic regression model containing HMW adiponectin, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), BMI, and age, HMW adiponectin was significantly associated with MS only in women. Comparison of HMW adiponectin and HOMA-IR as markers for MS indicated that HOMA-IR predicted MS better than did HMW adiponectin in both genders. However, after adjusting for age and BMI, HOMA-IR was a significantly better predictor only in men. HMW adiponectin and HOMA-IR predicted the presence of MS at the same level in women. Areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves for HMW adiponectin and HOMA-IR were 0.833 vs 0.88 in men (P=0.02) and 0.897 vs 0.907 in women (P=0.5).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These data suggest that the association between low HMW adiponectin levels and presence of MS might be stronger in women compared with men.
authors.affiliation: Departments of Internal Medicine, University of Tartu, 6 L. Puusepa Street, 51014 Tartu, Estonia. triin.eglit@kliinikum.ee
authors.forename: Triin
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Eglit
authors.forename: Margus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lember
authors.forename: Inge
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Ringmets
authors.forename: Tarvo
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Rajasalu
mesh_terms: D052242:Adiponectin / Q000097:blood* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000172:deficiency / Q000378:metabolism; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004957:Estonia / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D058006:General Practice; D006801:Humans; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008661:Metabolism, Inborn Errors / Q000209:etiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D008970:Molecular Weight; D015995:Prevalence; D011498:Protein Precursors / Q000097:blood* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: C499918:ADIPOQ protein, human; D052242:Adiponectin; D015415:Biomarkers; D011498:Protein Precursors