Relationships between serum adiponectin, leptin, resistin, visfatin levels and bone mineral density, and bone biochemical markers in Chinese men.

BACKGROUND: Adiponectin, leptin, resistin, and visfatin, as the main circulating peptides secreted by adipose tissue, are potential contributors to bone metabolism. We investigated whether these serum adipocytokines levels are associated with BMD and bone turnover biochemical markers in 232 Chinese men (20-80 y). METHODS: Serum adiponectin, leptin, resistin, and visfatin levels were determined by ELISA. RESULTS: Leptin had a positively correlation with fat mass, and remained significant after adjustment for age and BMI. There was a significant negative weak correlation between adiponectin and fat mass, and disappear after adjustment for age and BMI. Resistin and visfatin were not significantly correlated with fat mass. In the multiple linear stepwise regression analysis, lean mass and adiponectin, but not leptin, resistin and visfatin, were independent predictors of BMD. The significant positive correlations between adiponectin and bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BAP), bone cross-linked N-telopeptides of type collagen (NTX) were found, and remained significant after adjustment for age and fat mass. CONCLUSIONS: Adiponectin was an independent predictor of BMD in Chinese men, and positively correlated with bone turnover biochemical markers. It suggested that adiponectin exert a negative effect on bone mass in men.