Circulating adiponectin levels are related to lean body mass independently of total fat mass and insulin

• Title: Circulating adiponectin levels are related to lean body mass independently of total fat mass and insulin Background: The underlying starvation hypothesis postulates that adiponectin is a fuel providing hormone in catabolic states. The hypothesis explains the high levels of adiponectin seen in different catabolic conditions and its negative correlation to insulin - an anabolic hormone. We assumed that lean body mass (LBM) is a measure of overall anabolism. The aim of this study was to test if adiponectin correlated to LBM independently of insulin and total fat. Research Design and Methods: 98 healthy 58 year old Swedish men were recruited from the AIR-study. LBM and total body fat mass were measured using the dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry body composition model. Plasma levels of adiponectin and insulin were determined by a radioimmunoassay kit. Results: In a univariate analysis, LBM correlated to log insulin (r=0.387, p<0.001), total fat mass (r=0.603, p<0.001) and log adiponectin (r=-0.262, p=0.009). In a linear logistic regression where LBM is the dependent variable and X1 is log insulin, X2 is log adiponectin and X3 is total fat mass, LBM was predicted by total fat mass (Beta 0.562, p<0.001) and log adiponectin (Beta-0.203, p=0.040). Log insulin did not significantly predict LBM in this model. Conclusions: Plasma adiponectin levels correlate negatively to LBM independently of insulin and total body fat. We interpret these cross sectional data in support of the starvation hypothesis - that adiponectin has a role in catabolism. Its negative correlation to LBM – a measure of anabolism – is in line with the postulated hypothesis.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Dermatologi och venereologi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Dermatology and Venereal Diseases (hsv//eng)

Publication and Content Type

vet (subject category)

kon (subject category)