title: Visceral adiposity index is highly associated with adiponectin values and glycaemic disturbances.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Visceral Adiposity Index (VAI) is a gender-specific mathematical index estimated with the use of simple anthropometric (body mass index and waist circumference) and biochemical (triglycerides and high density lipoprotein cholesterol) parameters. Recent studies have shown that VAI reflects accurately the degree of visceral adiposity and insulin resistance. However, up to now, VAI has not been evaluated if it correlates with carbohydrate metabolism disorders, as well as with adipokine secretion from the fat mass.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a cohort of 308 out of 414 adult Saudi subjects screened for the study, detailed personal medical history, anthropometrics and metabolic/hormonal profiles were obtained. Additionally, the circulating concentrations of several circulating adipokines, namely adiponectin, leptin, tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and resistin, were measured.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Stepwise multivariate analysis showed that VAI was the sole determinant of adiponectin levels (R(2)  = 0·07, beta ± SE: -0·25 ± 0·05), while BMI and female gender predicted leptin levels (R(2)  = 0·26, 0·10 ± 0·01 and 0·61 ± 0·15, respectively). Furthermore, the presence of impaired fasting glucose (IFG)/diabetes was predicted only by age and VAI.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We report for the first time the direct relations of VAI with adipose tissue secretion, as well as with functional glycaemic disorders. Because VAI is estimated easily with data obtained in everyday practice, it could be used as an indirect index of adiponectin levels and the risk of impaired glucose metabolism.
authors.affiliation: Biomarkers Research Program, Department of Biochemistry, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, KSA. aldaghri2011@gmail.com
authors.forename: Nasser M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Al-Daghri
authors.forename: Omar S
authors.initials: OS
authors.lastname: Al-Attas
authors.forename: Majed S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Alokail
authors.forename: Khalid M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Alkharfy
authors.forename: Paris
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Charalampidis
authors.forename: Sarantis
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Livadas
authors.forename: Anastasios
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kollias
authors.forename: Shaun Louie
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Sabico
authors.forename: George P
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Chrousos
mesh_terms: D052242:Adiponectin / Q000097:blood*; D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000378:metabolism*; D050154:Adiposity; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D044882:Glucose Metabolism Disorders / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D020738:Leptin / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D052243:Resistin / Q000097:blood; D012529:Saudi Arabia; D012737:Sex Factors; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000378:metabolism*; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000097:blood; D055105:Waist Circumference; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D052242:Adiponectin; D001786:Blood Glucose; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D020738:Leptin; D052243:Resistin; D014280:Triglycerides; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha