Plasma adiponectin is associated with less atherogenic lipoprotein phenotype.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: This study examined the relationships between plasma levels of adiponectin and the features of the atherogenic lipoprotein phenotype (ALP), including HDL subclasses. METHODS AND RESULTS: Blood lipids and apolipoproteins were measured in 293 healthy individuals. LDL particle size and HDL subspecies (HDL(2), HDL(3)) were measured using gradient gel electrophoresis. Plasma adiponectin levels were negatively correlated with levels of apoB (r=-0.199, p<0.001), TG (r=-0.262, p<0.001), and HOMA-IR (r=-0.323, p<0.001) and positively correlated with levels of apoAI (r=0.173, p=0.006), HDL-cholesterol (r=0.287, p<0.001), and LDL particle size (r=0.289, p<0.001). Multiple linear regression analysis revealed the relationship between plasma adiponectin and LDL particle size (p<0.05) was no longer significant after adjusting for plasma TG levels. However, adiponectin (p<0.005) together with apoAI and TG were independent factors for HDL-cholesterol. With regard to HDL subclasses, plasma adiponectin levels were positively correlated with HDL(2b) (r=0.204, p<0.001), HDL(2a) (r=0.132, p<0.05) and negatively with HDL(3a) (r=-0.128, p<0.05), HDL(3b) (r=-0.203, p<0.001), and HDL(3c) (r=-0.159, p<0.01). The relationship between circulating adiponectin and HDL(2) (HDL(2b)+HDL(2a)) was independent of apoB and TG levels (p<0.05), but not of apoAI and HOMA-IR. CONCLUSIONS: Our results show that circulating adiponectin is associated with reduced manifestations of ALP.