Adiponectin gene polymorphisms in obese Greek youth.

We investigated single nucleotide polymorphisms 45T --> G and 276G --> T of the adiponectin gene in 48 obese Greek children and adolescents (3.58-16.25 years old) and examined their association with adiponectin levels and insulin resistance (IR), estimated with HOMA-IR, AUC(insulin) and WBISI. The polymorphisms were: 45T/G in 13/48 (27%) and 45G/G in 2 (4%) individuals; 276G/T in 21/41 (51%) and 276T/T in 3 (8%) individuals. Adiponectin in carriers of one or two G-alleles at position 45 was comparable to 45T/T (10.11 +/- 6.19 vs 8.03 +/- 4.96 microg/ml). Adiponectin in carriers of one or two T-alleles at position 276 was comparable to 276G/G (9.73 +/- 5.19 vs 7.77 +/- 5.65 microg/ml). SNP 45T --> G was not associated with IR. SNP276G --> T was associated with decreased risk for IR (OR = 3.05, 95% CI = 1.2384-11.13). In conclusion, SNPs 45T --> G and 276G --> T are common in obese young Greeks. SNP276G --> T might be protective against IR.

Adiponectin and body composition in cystic fibrosis.

UNLABELLED: The aim of the study was to evaluate adiponectin (AD) serum concentrations in 43 stable CF patients and 27 healthy subjects and to correlate them with their nutritional status. Body Composition (Bioelectrical Impedance), visceral/subcutaneous adipose tissue (VAT-SAT) in CF patients (CT-scan at L4), insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and AD serum concentrations (ELISA) were studied. CF patients and controls had comparable weight, height, %BF, %FFM, fasting glucose, insulin and insulin resistance. CF patients had significantly lower BMI-SDS. CF males had higher %FFM and total FFM and lower %BF and total BF than females (p<0.001). Serum AD was higher in CF patients than controls (11.53+/-5.37 vs. 9.07+/-4.41 microg/ml) and comparable between females and males. AD was lowest among young malnourished patients (8.06+/-1.85 microg/ml) and highest among young patients with normal nutrition (14.56+/-7.69 microg/ml). Patients with biliary cirrhosis had higher levels than patients with normal liver (10.52+/-5.49 vs. 14.04+/-4.52 mug/ml, p<0.05). AD correlated with %BF, %FFM, FFM (kg) (p<0.05).VAT was significantly increased in malnourished patients. AD was not affected by VAT. CONCLUSIONS: Adiponectin is higher in CF patients than healthy individuals. It is decreased in malnourished young patients and increased in patients with normal nutrition and in patients with liver disease. This may be attributed to the reduced BF and to the energy deficit inherent to the disease.

Adiponectin and insulin resistance in childhood obesity.

OBJECTIVES: To measure adiponectin serum levels in Greek children and adolescents and correlate them with body fat and insulin resistance. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Forty-six obese prepubertal children (19 M, 27 F) and 34 obese adolescents (17 M, 17 F) ages 9.33 +/- 1.57 and 13.6 +/- 1.42 years, respectively, and 43 matched control individuals were studied. Body mass index standard deviation score and percent body fat were measured by bioelectric impedance analysis. Fasting indices of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR and fasting glucose-to-insulin ratio) were calculated for all participants. Indices of insulin resistance derived from oral glucose tolerance tests were estimated in obese participants. Adiponectin was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: (MEAN +/- SD):: Adiponectin serum levels were significantly lower in obese participants than in nonobese participants (8.11 +/- 3.80 vs 11.81 +/- 4.98 microg/mL, P < 0.001), in obese children than in nonobese children (8.86 +/- 3.86 vs 13.08 +/- 5.48 microg/mL, P < 0.001), in obese adolescents than in nonobese adolescents (7.04 +/- 3.43 vs 10.47 +/- 4.10 microg/mL, P = 0.002), and in obese adolescent boys than in obese adolescent girls (5.87 +/- 3.52 vs 8.31 +/- 3.16 microg/mL, P = 0.042). There were significant correlations between adiponectin and age, body mass index, body mass index standard deviation score, homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance, and fasting glucose-to-insulin ratio. Adiponectin correlated with percent body fat after adjustment for sex. Adiponectin correlated significantly with several indices of insulin resistance, such as the areas under the curves for glucose and insulin, whole-body insulin sensitivity index, glucose 120', and insulin 30', in obese participants. CONCLUSIONS: Adiponectin was significantly lower in obese participants than in nonobese participants in general, and it correlated significantly with fasting indices of insulin resistance and with indices derived from oral glucose tolerance tests. It is worthwhile to further investigate the option of applying a simple measurement of serum adiponectin as a screening tool before applying more time-consuming techniques in young obese individuals.