Introduction: Adiponectin is a peptide secreted by adipocytes; its reduction is associated with obesity-related disorders, including insulin resistance (IR). The study analysed levels of total adiponectin and its high-molecular-weight (HMW) oligomer in a group of metabolically healthy adults and in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) to evaluate these levels as potential predictors of the presence of IR.
Materials and methods: The study comprised 269 metabolically healthy adults and 300 patients with T2DM. Anthropometric and bio-chemical indices were measured, including total and HMW adiponectin levels; the Homeostatic Model Assessment of IR (HOMA-IR) index was calculated, and logistic regression analysis was used to predict the presence of IR.
Results: In healthy individuals, both total and HMW adiponectin levels were significantly higher than in diabetic patients. Total and HMW adiponectin levels were moderately correlated with the HOMA-IR index. Logistic regression analysis showed that increased levels of both total adiponectin (odds ratio [OR] 0.598, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.483-0.723) and the HMW form (OR 0.360, 95% CI 0.242-0.511) are protective factors for the development of IR. The cut-off levels were 4.22 mg/L for total adiponectin and 2.75 mg/L for HMW adiponectin. The results are valid for middle-aged European adults.
Conclusions: Adiponectin levels below the indicated cut-offs may predict a potential risk for the development of IR.
Keywords: cut-off points; high molecular weight adiponectin; insulin resistance; odds ratio; predictions; total adiponectin.