High serum C1q-adiponectin/total adiponectin ratio correlates with coronary artery disease in Japanese type 2 diabetics.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Adiponectin, an adipocyte-derived protein, has potential antiatherogenic properties. Low levels of serum total-adiponectin (Total-APN) correlate with diabetes and coronary artery disease (CAD). Adiponectin and C1q form a protein complex in blood, and serum C1q-binding adiponectin (C1q-APN) can be measured. We investigated the correlation between C1q-APN and CAD in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). METHODS: The study subjects were 107 outpatients with T2DM who underwent evaluation for CAD. Blood C1q, Total-APN, high-molecular weight-adiponectin (HMW-APN) and C1q-APN were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. RESULTS: Serum levels of C1q-APN/Total-APN ratio were higher in patients diagnosed with CAD (10.47±0.59, mean±SEM, n=54) than those without CAD (8.88±0.60, n=53, p=0.0482). Age- and sex-adjusted logistic regression analysis identified serum C1q-APN/Total-APN ratio and hypertension as significant and independent determinants of CAD. A high serum C1q-APN/Total-APN ratio was associated with 3.965-fold increase in CAD prevalence. CONCLUSIONS: High serum C1q-APN/Total-APN ratio correlates with CAD in T2DM.