Hypoadiponectinemia in type 2 diabetes mellitus in men is associated with sympathetic overactivity as evaluated by cardiac 123I-metaiodobenzylguanidine scintigraphy

Abstract Hypoadiponectinemia is associated with insulin resistance. However, there is very limited information about the relationship between plasma adiponectin and cardiac autonomic nervous function. We tested the hypothesis that hypoadiponectinemia is associated with cardiac sympathetic overactivity in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Thirty-three male type 2 diabetic patients not on insulin treatment were classified into a hypoadiponectinemia group (plasma adiponectin concentration, μ g/mL; age, 58.6 ± 8.6 years [mean ± SD]; n = 14) and an age-matched normoadiponectinemia group (serum adiponectin concentration, ≥4.0 μ g/mL; age, 58.2 ± 8.1 years; n = 19). In each patient, baroreflex sensitivity, heart rate variability, plasma norepinephrine concentration, and cardiac 123 I-metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) scintigraphic findings were assessed. Compared with the normoadiponectinemia group, the hypoadiponectinemia group had a higher body mass index ( P P P P P P P 123 I-MIBG ( P P 123 I-MIBG (F = 5.985). Our results suggest that in middle-aged men with type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypoadiponectinemia is associated with cardiac sympathetic overactivity as determined by 123 I-MIBG scintigraphy.