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Adiponectin, hepatocellular dysfunction and insulin sensitivity
Abel López-Bermejo1, Patricia Botas, Tohru Funahashi
1Unit of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Nutrition, University Hospital of Girona Dr Josep Trueta, Girona, Spain. uden.alopez@htrueta.scs.es
Clinical Endocrinology
|January 17, 2004
Summary
Low adiponectin levels in healthy individuals are linked to elevated liver enzymes, including alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase (GGT). This association suggests adiponectin’s role in maintaining liver health, independent of insulin resistance.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Hepatology
- Metabolic Syndrome
Background:
- Insulin resistance is a key factor in fatty liver disease development.
- Adiponectin, a hepatic insulin sensitizer, also inhibits tumor necrosis factor (TNF), a pro-inflammatory cytokine.
- Elevated liver enzymes can indicate liver damage and dysfunction.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between circulating adiponectin levels and serum liver enzyme concentrations in healthy subjects.
- To explore the relationship between adiponectin, insulin resistance, and liver function tests (LFTs).
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional, population-based study involving 257 healthy Caucasian subjects.
- Measurement of serum adiponectin by ELISA, LFTs (ALT, GGT, ALKP) by colorimetry, and insulin resistance via HOMA.
- Statistical analysis including correlation, linear regression, and multiple regression models.
Main Results:
- Adiponectin levels showed a negative correlation with ALT and GGT, even after adjusting for sex, age, BMI, and insulin resistance.
- Adiponectin also correlated with alkaline phosphatase (ALKP) after adjustments.
- Lower adiponectin levels were associated with increased LFTs, with a decrease of -0.97 mg/l in serum adiponectin for each LFT value above the median.
- Adiponectin, BMI, and sex predicted ALT and GGT levels, while adiponectin, BMI, and age predicted ALKP levels.
Conclusions:
- Circulating adiponectin levels are significantly associated with plasma concentrations of key liver function tests in healthy individuals.
- Adiponectin's role in preserving liver integrity, potentially through insulin sensitivity and anti-inflammatory pathways, warrants further investigation.
- These findings highlight adiponectin as a potential biomarker for liver health in the absence of overt liver disease.