The Role of Serum Adiponectin Concentration in Diabetic Patients with Diabetic Retinopathy

Many factors are reported to affect the progression of diabetic retinopathy; there is general agreement that the duration of diabetes and the severity of hyperglycemia are the major risk factors for its development. An association between adiponectin and diabetic retinopathy was demonstrated. Adiponectin are involved in the development of diabetes and diabetic retinopathy. The aim of the study is to assess serum adiponectin concentrations in type 2 diabetic Egyptian patients with and without retinopathy and to assess the association between adiponectin and the severity of retinopathy. W e studied 60 diabetic patients and 20 healthy subjects as control group. The diabetic patients were divided into 3 subgroups according to the severity of retinopathy. Subgroup I included those without diabetic retinopathy (DR), subgroup II included those with background DR and subgroup III included those with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR). For all patients and control group, fasting blood glucose, serum total cholesterol, serum triglycerides, serum insulin and serum adiponectin were estimated and calculation of homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) for assessment of insulin resistance. There was a highly significant decrease in serum adiponectin concentration in diabetic patients compared to control group and there was lower levels in subgroups II & III compared to subgroup I and the concentration in subgroup III was lower significantly than in subgroup I. This study shows that the decrease in serum concentration of adiponectin was associated with the severity of diabetic retinopathy and suggests that adiponectin may play a role in the pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy and its degree. W e recommend the use of adiponectin in treatment of diabetes as a new era for possible glycemic control and reduction of diabetic complications