Relations of adiponectin to levels of metabolic parameters and sexual hormones in elderly type 2 diabetic patients.

Abstract Background Despite the effective role of adiponectin levels in the predisposition to type 2 diabetes mellitus, the potential impact of adiponectin in manifest type 2 diabetes is less studied. Objectives This study aimed to determine gender-specific differences regarding the relationship between adiponectin levels and metabolic parameters as well as sex hormones in elderly type 2 diabetics. Methods Sixty-two elderly type 2 diabetic men (mean age 60 [9] years) and 38 postmenopausal type 2 diabetic women (mean age 64 [9] years) were evaluated in a cross-sectional study. Glycemic control, lipids, sex hormones, adiponectin, and anthropometric parameters were measured in all participants. Results Serum adiponectin was higher in women than in men ( P P P r = 0.420; P r = –0.492; P r = –0.432; P Conclusions High serum adiponectin is a feature of better metabolic control and lipid profile, whereas low adiponectin levels are associated with fatty liver disease in women and low testosterone levels in men with type 2 diabetes.