Plasma adiponectin and insulin resistance in new onset hypertension

The data related to association among hypertension, insulin resistance, and plasma adiponectin concentration is controversial. We aimed to evaluate the relationships among these factors in a young hypertensive group who had no confounding factors.

Thirty newly diagnosed and formerly untreated hypertensive males (mean age 23.4 +/- 4.0 yr; body mass index: 24.9 +/- 2.2 kg/m2), and 60 healthy control subjects (mean age 22.5 +/- 3.2 yr; body mass index: 24.6 +/- 1.6 kg/m2) were enrolled. Insulin resistance was calculated by homeostasis model assessment (HOMA).

The two groups were similar in terms of age, body mass index, fasting glucose, total cholesterol, HDL and LDL cholesterol, adiponectin, insulin, HOMA, and hsCRP levels. Mean triglyceride levels in hypertensive patients were significantly higher than the controls (p = 0.02).

These results indicate that young, newly diagnosed, uncomplicated patients with hypertension have similar plasma adiponectin levels and insulin sensitivities when compared to healthy controls. We suggest that high blood pressure itself may not be associated with insulin resistance or low adiponectin levels in patients with new onset, uncomplicated hypertension.