Adiponectin Levels as Predictors of Type 2 Diabetes in Children

High adiponectin levels predicted lower prevalence of type 2 diabetes. In its role as an endocrine organ, adipose tissue plays an important part in the regulation of metabolic and inflammatory processes in the body, including insulin sensitivity and energy metabolism. Adiponectin, an adipocytokine secreted by adipocytes, might participate in this regulation.

To study the association of adiponectin with type 2 diabetes in children and adolescents, Cruz and colleagues examined 113 Mexican youths (63 girls, 50 boys) aged 8 to 16 years with (n=40) and without (n=73) type 2 diabetes. The subjects were classified by age and sex. Fasting and 2-hour blood samples were taken to determine total cholesterol, LDL and HDL cholesterol, glucose, A1C, triglycerides and anti-GAD (antibodies to glutamic acid decarboxylase). Radioimmunoassay determined adiponectin and plasma insulin levels. Homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) was used to estimate insulin resistance (IR) and ?-cell function indices.

Results showed a significant difference in adiponectin concentration between the subjects with type 2 diabetes and the controls (t = 5.09, P=0.001). Univariate analysis showed that there were significant negative correlations between adiponectin levels and body mass index (BMI) (r = -0.385, P<0.001), age (r = -0.313, P<0.01), body weight (r = -0.427, P<0.001), log HOMA-IR (r = -0.397, P<0.001), and insulin concentrations (r = -0.381, P<0.001). Multilinear regression analysis demonstrated
that waist-to-hip ratio (r = 0.228, P=0.014), BMI (r = -0.215, P=0.045), insulin levels (r = -0.276, P=0.005), and diabetes (r= -0.367, P<0.001) were independently correlated with adiponectin levels (R2 = 0.379, P<0.001).

The researchers concluded that high adipo nectin levels in this group of children predicted lower prevalence of type 2 diabetes, independent of age, sex, and BMI. DiabetesCare. 2004;27:1451-1453.