A Link between Bone Mineral Density and Serum Adiponectin and Visfatin Levels in Acromegaly

Context: Two adipokines highly expressed in fat mass, adiponectin with antiinflammatory and antiatherogenic properties and visfatin with an insulin-mimetic effect, are potential contributors to bone metabolism. In acromegaly, data on adiponectin are contradictory, and there are no data on visfatin. Objectives: The aim of the study was to evaluate adiponectin and visfatin in acromegaly, compared to control subjects, and to analyze their relationship with body composition and bone markers. Methods: Bone markers [osteocalcin, total amino-terminal propeptide of type 1 procollagen (total P1NP), carboxy-terminal telopeptide (β-Crosslaps)], body composition (by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry), adiponectin (by ELISA), and visfatin (by immunoanalysis)] were evaluated in 60 acromegalic patients (24 males and 36 females) and in 105 age- and gender-matched healthy controls (33 males and 72 females). Acromegalic patients were classified as controlled, with normal IGF-I and nadir GH no greater than 1 μg/liter (n = 41...