RELATIONSHIP OF SERUM ADIPONECTIN LEVELS WITH ADIPOSITY, GLUCOCORTICOIDS,LEPTIN AND INSULIN

Objective To investigate the relationship between serum adiponectin levels with adiposity, glucocorticoids, insulin and leptin in Cushing's syndrome, obesity and non-obese subjects. Methods The serum adiponectin concentrations were measured in 104 non-obese and 57 overweight or obese (BMI≥25) subjects by RIA. 15 patients with Cushing's syndrome, 10 with obesity and 9 non-obese subjects were investigated, with their serum adiponectin, glucocorticoids, insulin and leptin levels measured at 8:00, 12:00, 16:00, 20:00, 24:O0 and 3:00. Dexamethasone suppression tests in both obesity and Cushing's syndrome were performed at the dose of Img, 2mg and 5mg. Results The serum adiponectin concentrations in non-obese were (10.15±6.33) mg/L in maleand (13.82±6.09) mg/L in female, and those in overweight or obese ones were (5.78±3.55) mg/L in male and (8.13±4.32) mg/L in female. In both men and women, the fasting adiponectin levels in overweight or obese subjects were lower than those of the non-obese ones, and serum adiponectin concentrations were significantly nagetively correlated with BMI,% Fat and waist circumference. The circadian rhythmicity of adiponectin was not distinct, but the adiponectin levels in obesity were lower than those of the non-obese subjects at all 6 time spots. The serum adiponectin area under curve (AUC) were significantly nagetively correlated with BMI, waist circumference and insulin AUC. The adiponectin levels with dexamethasone administration for a short-term both at higher doses and lower doses did not change, but was decreased after surgery. Conclusion Adiponectin is a hormone secreted by adipocytes which may intimately related to obese and insulin resistance. Therefore, any treatment that could be used to increase adiponectin should be beneficial. Neither long-term endogenous hyper-glucocorticoid nor short-term dexamethasone administration may affect the adiponectin levels, and similarly, no change with elevated postprandial insulin levels.