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Adiponectin Predicts Insulin Resistance But Not Endothelial Function in Young, Healthy Adolescents

Medical Research Council, Childhood Nutrition Research Centre (A.S., A.L., M.F.), Department of Vascular Physiology (J.D.), Institute of Child Health, London WC1N 1EH, United Kingdom; and University Department of Vascular Biochemistry (N.J., N.S.), Glasgow Royal Infirmary, Glasgow G31 2ER, United Kingdom

Address all correspondence and requests for reprints to: A. Singhal, Medical Research Council, Childhood Nutrition Research Centre, Institute of Child Health, 30 Guilford Street, London WC1N 1EH, United Kingdom. E-mail: a.singhal{at}ich.ucl.ac.uk.

Background: Adiponectin, an adipocyte-derived hormone found in lower concentration with greater adiposity, is suggested to reduce the risk of insulin resistance, atherosclerosis, and cardiovascular disease. We tested this hypothesis in a healthy, nonobese population.

Methods and Results: Brachial artery flow-mediated endothelial-dependent vasodilation and distensibility, measures of vascular function relevant to the early atherosclerotic process, were determined in 294 adolescents (aged 13–16 yr) using high-resolution vascular ultrasound. Fasting insulin concentration and the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance were used to estimate insulin resistance. Fat mass was measured by bioelectric impedance analysis; fasting serum adiponectin concentration by RIA; and lipid profile, fasting insulin, glucose, and C-reactive protein concentrations using standard laboratory techniques. Adiponectin concentration was associated with insulin resistance independent of potential confounding factors (e.g. –1.3% change in fasting insulin concentration per 10% increase in adiponectin concentration; 95% confidence interval, –2.4% to –0.1%; P = 0.03), but not with flow-mediated endothelial-dependent vasodilation or arterial distensibility.

Conclusions: Lower adiponectin concentration was associated with lower insulin sensitivity in a healthy, nonobese population. Our study supports the hypothesis that adiponectin benefits insulin sensitivity from a young age but, in contrast to experimental models and data from older subjects, does not affect vascular changes associated with early atherosclerosis.

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