Hypoadiponectinemia in obese subjects with type II diabetes: A close association with central obesity indices

BACKGROUND: Adiponectin is an adipocyte secreted protein with important biological functions. Hypoadiponectinemia is associated with obesity, insulin resistance, and type II diabetes. This study aimed to evaluate serum adiponectin level in obese subjects with type II diabetes and its correlation with metabolic parameters. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was performed on 40 obese subjects with type II diabetes and 40 non-diabetic obese control subjects. Fasting lipid profile was measured by the enzymatic methods. The NycoCard HbA1c protocol was used to measure HbA1c. The Serum adiponectin, insulin and glucose levels were measured using an enzyme immunoassay and glucose oxidase methods respectively. RESULTS: Type II diabetes was associated with hypoadiponectinemia, in both men and women. Serum adiponectin level in non-diabetic subjects (6.44 ± 2.47 μg/ml) was significantly higher than diabetics (4.55 ± 1.88 μg/ml). Furthermore, serum adiponectin concentration in females was significantly higher than males in non-diabetics (7.18 ± 2.68 vs. 5.61 ± 0.57) and diabetic groups (5.18 ± 2.08 vs. 3.99 ± 1.5). There was a negative and significant correlation between serum adiponectin level with waist (r = -0.451; p = 0.003), waist to hip ratio (r = -0.404; p = 0.01) and BMI (r = - 0.322; p = 0.042) and a positive correlation with HDL (r = 0.337; p = 0.034) in non-diabetic group. In diabetic group, there was only found a negative correlation between adiponectin and waist size (r = -0.317; p = 0.046).