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Published on: July 17, 2018
The ratio of high-molecular weight adiponectin and total adiponectin differs in preterm and term infants
Tomohide Yoshida1, Hiraku Nagasaki, Yoshihide Asato
1Department of Pediatrics, University of the Ryukyus, Nishihara, Okinawa 903-0125, Japan.
Insights
High-molecular weight adiponectin (H-adn) levels differ in preterm infants compared to term infants, indicating distinct postnatal growth patterns. Early adipose tissue development is crucial for preterm infants to mitigate cardiovascular disease risk.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Neonatology
- Pediatric Growth
Background:
- Adiponectin, a key adipokine, exists in multiple molecular weight forms.
- High-molecular weight adiponectin (H-adn) is considered the biologically active form.
- Understanding adiponectin subspecies is crucial for assessing infant growth and metabolic health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between H-adn and postnatal growth in preterm infants (PIs).
- To compare adiponectin profiles (total adiponectin [T-adn] and H-adn) in PIs and term infants (TI).
- To identify factors influencing adiponectin concentrations and ratios in PIs versus TI.
Main Methods:
- Serum samples were collected from 46 PIs at birth and corrected term, and 26 TIs at birth.
- Concentrations of T-adn and H-adn were measured.
- The ratio of H-adn to T-adn (H/T-adn) was calculated.
- Stepwise multiple regression analysis was employed.
Main Results:
- T-adn and H-adn concentrations, and H/T-adn ratio were significantly higher in TI and PIs at corrected term compared to PIs at birth.
- PIs at corrected term showed similar T-adn and H-adn levels to TIs, but a lower H/T-adn ratio.
- Factors influencing adiponectin concentrations differed between PIs and TIs.
Conclusions:
- Early postnatal growth quality in PIs differs from that of TIs.
- Adipose tissue development similar to TIs may be vital for PIs.
- Optimizing early growth may help prevent future cardiovascular disease in PIs.
Abstract:
Adiponectin consists of three subspecies (high-, middle- and low-molecular weight adiponectin). Among these, high-molecular weight adiponectin (H-adn) is suggested to be an active form of this protein. To assess the relationship between H-adn and postnatal growth in preterm infants (PIs), serum H-adn and total adiponectin (T-adn) were measured in 46 PIs at birth and at corrected term, and 26 term infants (TI) at birth. T-adn and H-adn concentrations, and the ratio of H-adn to T-adn (H/T-adn) were significantly greater in TI and PI at corrected term than in PI at birth (p < 0.001). T-adn and H-adn concentrations in PI at corrected term were similar to those in TI, but H/T-adn in PI at corrected term was less than that in TI (p < 0.02). Stepwise multiple regression analysis revealed that the factors contributing to H/T-adn and serum concentrations of T- and H-adn in PI at corrected term were different from those in TI. These data suggest that quality of early postnatal growth in PIs is different from that in normally developed TI. Postnatal growth accompanying adipose tissue similar to TI may be important for PI to prevent future development of cardiovascular disease.
