Adiponectin is a hormone produced by your fat cells that helps regulate your levels of blood sugar and fats. High levels of adiponectin are thought to be healthy and prevent conditions such as insulin resistance, diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular disease. Recent research has contributed to the depth of understanding of how adiponectin influences and is influenced by areas of metabolism involved in blood sugar control.
Essential Fatty Acids
Levels of adiponectins may be a predictor of insulin resistance, according to a study published in the March 2011 issue of the "European Journal of Clinical Nutrition." The study evaluated activities of adiponectin, leptin --- a hormone that regulates appetite and energy expenditure --- and fatty acid composition within cell membranes that may be involved in insulin resistance. Participants with diabetes took a glucose tolerance test and measurements of glucose, Hba1c --- a measure of blood sugar over several months prior to the test --- insulin, leptin, adiponectin and red blood cell membrane composition were assessed. Participants with impaired glucose tolerance showed lower levels of essential fatty acids in their red blood cell membranes, which correlated with lower levels of adiponectin and higher levels of insulin and insulin resistance.
Cardiovascular Disease
There may be a genetic link between adiponectin and cardiovascular disease risk in some type 2 diabetics, according to a study published in the March 2011 issue of the journal "Molecular Biology Reports." In the study of over 400 participants with type 2 diabetes, researchers found that a particular genetic variation for adiponectin was more prevalent in those with higher coronary artery disease. The authors concluded that the presence of this variation of the gene that codes for adiponectin presents an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
Omentin
Omentin, a molecular relative of adiponectin in the adipocytokine family of hormones, was shown to have a similar role to adiponectin in glucose regulation and insulin resistance, according to a study published in the March 2011 issue of the journal "Experiments in Clinical Endocrinology and Diabetes." The researchers tracked levels of omentin and adiponectin in patients with type 2 diabetes, impaired glucose regulation or normal glucose tolerance. They found that both levels of omentin and adiponectin were significantly lower in obese than in normal body weight people and higher in women than in men. The researchers concluded that the two hormones are so closely related that adiponectin might play a role in regulating omentin levels and both are important in regulating insulin resistance.
Children
Low adiponectin levels in children lead to increased cardiovascular risk, according to a study published in the March 2011 issue of the "Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism." Among study participants, obese and insulin-resistant children showed lower levels of adiponectin and higher levels of triglycerides --- which are often elevated in insulin resistance --- and LDL cholesterol particles. The researchers noted that this was the first study of its type in children and that it shows an association between adiponectin, obesity and insulin resistance in adolescents.
References
- "European Journal of Clinical Nutrition"; Relationship between red cell membrane fatty acids and adipokines in individuals with varying insulin sensitivity; Min Y et al.; 2011
- "Molecular Biology Reports"; Adiponectin gene variants and the risk of coronary artery disease in patients with type 2 diabetes; Al-Daghri NM, et al.; 2011
- "Experimental and Clinical Endocrinology and Diabetes"; Changes of Serum Omentin Levels and Relationship between Omentin and Adiponectin Concentrations in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus; Yan P, et al.; 2011
- "The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism; Adiponectin Is Associated with Favorable Lipoprotein Profile, Independent of BMI and Insulin Resistance, in Adolescents; Magge SN, et al.; 2011
