Adiponectin, insulin resistance, and C-reactive protein in postpubertal Asian Indian adolescents

Metabolism. 2004 Oct;53(10):1336-41. doi: 10.1016/j.metabol.2004.05.010.

Abstract

High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels are closely associated with adiposity and predict coronary heart disease and type 2 diabetes mellitus. However, relationships of CRP to adiponectin and other markers of insulin resistance have been inadequately researched in children. We measured fasting serum levels of adiponectin, insulin, hs-CRP, and lipoproteins, and recorded the anthropometric profile and percentage of body fat (%BF; bioimpedance method) in 62 (36 normal weight, 26 overweight) healthy, urban, postpubertal Asian Indian males (aged 14 to 18 years). Serum levels of adiponectin were lower (P = not significant [NS]), whereas those of fasting insulin (P = .01) and hs-CRP (P = .02) were higher in overweight subjects. Adiponectin levels inversely correlated with body mass index (BMI; r = -0.26, P < .05), %BF (r = -0.24, P < .05), fasting insulin (r = -0.32, P < .05) and insulin resistance measured by the homeostasis model of assessment (HOMA-IR; r = -0.31, P < .05), but not with hs-CRP levels. Fasting insulin and hs-CRP levels correlated significantly with BMI, %BF, waist circumference (WC), waist-to-hip circumference ratio (W-HR), and triceps and subscapular skinfold thickness. The correlation of adiponectin with insulin sensitivity was independent of abdominal obesity, but became nonsignificant after controlling for BMI and %BF. Further, BMI was an independent predictor of adiponectin levels and the ratio of adiponectin and %BF was an independent predictor of fasting insulin levels. Although adiponectin levels did not correlate with hs-CRP levels, we observed dichotomous relationships of adiponectin and hs-CRP levels with generalized and abdominal obesity, respectively. We conclude that generalized obesity affects the adiponectin-insulin relationship in postpubertal Asian Indian males; however, the relationship of adiponectin with hs-CRP needs further evaluation.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adiponectin
  • Adipose Tissue / physiology
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Anthropometry
  • Body Composition / drug effects
  • C-Reactive Protein / physiology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • India
  • Insulin / blood
  • Insulin Resistance / physiology*
  • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins*
  • Lipoproteins / metabolism
  • Male
  • Proteins / metabolism*
  • Puberty / physiology*
  • Reference Values

Substances

  • Adiponectin
  • Insulin
  • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • Lipoproteins
  • Proteins
  • C-Reactive Protein