Association of ADIPOR2 with liver function tests in type 2 diabetic subjects

Adiponectin protects against liver dysfunction in insulin-resistant states such as obesity and type 2 diabetes (T2DM), but the role of adiponectin receptors in this disorder is largely unknown. We studied whether common single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in ADIPOR1 and ADIPOR2 are associated with liver function tests (LFTs) in human subjects with various degrees of insulin resistance.

Serum alanine (ALT) and aspartate (AST) aminotransferases, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), -8503 G/A (rs6666089) and +5843 C/T (rs1342387) SNPs in ADIPOR1, -64,241 T/G (rs1029629) and +33447 C/T (rs1044471) SNPs in ADIPOR2 were assessed in 700 white subjects from a population-based study.

In nondiabetic subjects, the at-risk alleles for the common -64,241 T/G and +33447 C/T SNPs in ADIPOR2 were associated with increased circulating adiponectin (P < 0.05 to P < 0.005), but not with LFT. Conversely, in T2DM subjects (who are at risk for liver dysfunction), the same alleles were associated with increased serum ALT and AST (P < 0.05 to P < 0.0001), but not with circulating adiponectin. No significant associations with these parameters were evident for the common -8503 G/A and +5843 C/T SNPs in ADIPOR1. In a replication study, the -64,241 T/G and +33447 C/T SNPs in ADIPOR2 were associated with ALT and AST (P < 0.05 to P < 0.0001) in pooled obese and T2DM subjects.

Common SNPs in ADIPOR2 are associated with LFT in T2DM subjects, which suggests a possible role of this receptor in liver dysfunction associated with insulin resistance.