Adiponectin and insulin resistance in young and healthy smokers

Smoking is closely associated with insulin resistance, though the mechanism is not clear. Adiponectin, a novel anti-atherosclerotic and anti-inflammatory adipose tissue product, which is closely associated with insulin resistance, was reported to be low in smokers with cofactors for atherosclerosis. However, the effects of smoking on circulating adiponectin levels in otherwise healthy people are unknown. In this study, a case control design was implemented to search for the effect of smoking on plasma adiponectin and insulin sensitivities in healthy people. Sixty-four healthy male smokers, with no family history of hypertension and diabetes mellitus were compared with appropriate 36 age and body mass index matched controls. Both the patients and controls were the soldiers of a troop with regular daily physical activity. Plasma adiponectin, high sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP), insulin and lipid levels, and insulin sensitivity as assessed by homeostasis model assessment index (HOMA) of the smokers were measured and compared with those of the controls. The plasma adiponectin, hsCRP, insulin levels and HOMA indexes of the two groups were similar. These parameters were not affected by the amount of cigarettes per day. HDL-cholesterol levels were lower (p = 0.01) and systolic blood pressures were higher (p = 0.02) in the smokers. These results indicate that smoking may not affect plasma adiponectin and insulin levels in young and healthy men with high exercise capacity.