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The role of total and high-molecular-weight complex of adiponectin in vascular function in offspring whose parents
F Halperin1, J A Beckman, M E Patti
1Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
Insights
In offspring of type 2 diabetes patients, adiponectin levels did not correlate with vascular function. However, low adiponectin was linked to impaired fibrinolysis, indicating potential risks for atherosclerosis.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Cardiovascular Research
- Metabolic Syndrome
Background:
- Adiponectin, an adipokine, possesses insulin-sensitizing and anti-atherogenic properties.
- Individuals with a parental history of type 2 diabetes are at increased risk for diabetes and atherosclerosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of total adiponectin and high-molecular-weight (HMW) adiponectin in vascular function.
- To assess these roles in offspring of parents with type 2 diabetes, a high-risk population.
Main Methods:
- Assayed total and %HMW adiponectin, inflammatory cytokines (CRP, IL-6, PAI-1), and lipid profiles in 19 offspring.
- Conducted oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTTs) and intravenous glucose tolerance tests (IVGTTs).
- Evaluated endothelium-dependent vasodilation (EDV) using brachial artery ultrasonography.
Main Results:
- A significant positive correlation was observed between %HMW and total adiponectin levels (r=0.72, p=0.001).
- No significant relationship was found between total or %HMW adiponectin and EDV.
- Adiponectin showed an inverse association with PAI-1 (r=0.50, p=0.05) but not with CRP or IL-6.
Conclusions:
- In offspring of diabetic parents, adiponectin levels (total or HMW) are not directly related to endothelium-dependent vasodilation.
- Low adiponectin levels were associated with impaired fibrinolysis, indicated by elevated PAI-1.
- Findings suggest a potential link between adiponectin, fibrinolysis, and atherosclerosis risk in this high-risk group.
Aims/Hypothesis:
Adiponectin is an adipokine with insulin-sensitising and anti-atherogenic properties. We studied the role played by total adiponectin and by the bioactive high-molecular-weight (HMW) oligomeric complexes of adiponectin in vascular function in offspring whose parents both had type 2 diabetes, a population at high risk of diabetes and atherosclerosis.
Methods:
Total and %HMW adiponectin, the cytokines C-reactive protein, interleukin-6 and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), as well as lipid profiles were assayed in 19 offspring, each with two type 2 diabetic parents. Subjects underwent OGTTs and IVGTTs. Endothelium-dependent vasodilation (EDV) was assessed by brachial artery ultrasonography.
Results:
There was a significant relationship between %HMW and total adiponectin levels (r=0.72, p=0.001). Despite an expected strong positive correlation between HDL-cholesterol and adiponectin levels (r=0.52, p=0.04), as well as HDL-cholesterol and EDV (r=0.56, p<0.02), there was no significant relationship between either total adiponectin or % HMW adiponectin and EDV. Adiponectin was inversely associated with PAI-1 (r=0.50, p=0.05), but did not correlate with the inflammatory markers C-reactive protein or interleukin-6.
Conclusions/Interpretation:
In offspring of diabetic parents, a population at high risk of diabetes and atherosclerotic disease, there is no relationship between total or %HMW adiponectin and endothelium-dependent vasodilation. However, low adiponectin was associated with impaired fibrinolysis as manifested by increased levels of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1.
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