title: Relationship between retinol-binding protein-4/adiponectin and leptin/adiponectin ratios with insulin resistance and inflammation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There is much data supporting a role for adipokines in both obesity and metabolic syndrome. Insulin resistance and low-grade inflammation are crucial in the genesis of both disorders. Although data suggest that the ratio of leptin/adiponectin correlates with insulin resistance and predicts cardiovascular disease (CVD), there is scanty data on the relationship between the retinol-binding protein-4 (RBP4)/adiponectin ratio with insulin resistance and inflammation. We tested the relationship of both these ratios with measures of insulin resistance and inflammation.
  
  
  METHODS
  In 72 individuals, including controls and patients with metabolic syndrome, we calculated the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and assayed high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) and the adipokines, adiponectin, leptin, and RBP4.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Whereas both the leptin/adiponectin and RBP4/adiponectin ratios did not correlate with HOMA-IR, both correlated significantly with the prototypic biomarker of inflammation, hsCRP. Also in patients with metabolic syndrome following adjustment for adiposity, only the RBP4/adiponectin ratio was significantly increased.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Hence it appears that whereas both the leptin/adiponectin and RBP4/adiponectin ratios correlate with inflammation, only the RBP4/adiponectin ratio was significantly increased in metabolic syndrome and would be more useful to predict CVD, especially in metabolic syndrome.
authors.affiliation: 1 Laboratory of Atherosclerosis and Metabolic Research, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, and Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes, Department of Internal Medicine University of California at Davis , Davis, California.
authors.forename: Ishwarlal
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Jialal
authors.forename: Beverley
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Adams-Huet
authors.forename: Frank
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Duong
authors.forename: Gerred
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Smith
mesh_terms: D052242:Adiponectin / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D020738:Leptin / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism; D008875:Middle Aged; D054839:Retinol-Binding Proteins, Plasma / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D052242:Adiponectin; D015415:Biomarkers; D020738:Leptin; C101326:RBP4 protein, human; D054839:Retinol-Binding Proteins, Plasma; D002097:C-Reactive Protein