The association of adiponectin and low-grade inflammation with the course of metabolic syndrome.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is associated with low-grade inflammation. The connections of adiponectin and inflammatory cytokines with the course of MetS are not well-known. The aim of this study was to investigate the relation of adiponectin and low-grade inflammation with the development or resolution of MetS. METHODS AND RESULTS: In the town of Pieksämäki, Finland, five complete age groups (n = 1.294) were invited for health check-ups in 1997-1998 for the first time and in 2003-2004 for the second time. The final study population included 284 men and 396 women. MetS was defined according to the National Cholesterol Education Program criteria in the beginning and at the end of the 6-year research period, and adiponectin, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra) and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1ß) levels were determined from baseline samples. Both male and female study subjects were divided into four groups according to the diagnosis of MetS in the two check-ups: not diagnosed at either check-up (No MetS), diagnosed only at the second check-up (Incident MetS), diagnosed only at the first check-up (Resolute MetS), and diagnosed at both check-ups (Persistent MetS). Baseline adiponectin, IL-1Ra and IL-1ß levels and IL-1ß/IL-1Ra -ratio were found to predict Incident MetS, when adjusted for the change in BMI, age, smoking status and physical activity. Our data also suggested that a high adiponectin level and low hs-CRP and IL-1Ra levels predict the resolution of MetS. CONCLUSION: Adiponectin and inflammatory markers can predict the course of MetS.

Ageing and associations of fasting plasma glucose and 2 h plasma glucose with HbA(1C) in apparently healthy population. "FIN-D2D" study.

OBJECTIVE: In this FIN-D2D cross-sectional survey the relationship of age with HbA(1c) and fasting and 2h glucose in the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was explored in apparently randomly selected healthy population. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The glycaemic parameters were measured in 1344 men and 1482 women (aged 45-74 years), and among them we excluded all subjects with known diabetes, hypertension or dyslipidaemia. The final analyses for HbA(1c) and the ratios of fasting glucose/HbA(1c) and 2h glucose/HbA(1c) included 649 men and 804 women. RESULTS: Mean age was 57 years and BMI 26.1kg/m(2) for both genders. HbA(1c) increased in both genders with age (p<0.001). For a particular fasting glucose level HbA(1c) level was higher in older age groups (p<0.001 for linearity). By contrast, a particular 2h plasma glucose value in OGTT implied significantly lower HbA(1c) in the elderly (p<0.001 for linearity). CONCLUSION: In apparently healthy population, screened with OGTT, in older individuals compared with younger ones a particular HbA(1c) value implies slightly lower fasting glucose, but relatively higher 2h glucose. These results need to be verified in different populations. The effects of age on relation between HbA(1c) and plasma glucose should be taken into account in classifying people into different dysglycaemia categories.