Adiponectin and cardiac geometry and function in elderly: results from two community-based cohort studies

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Endocrinology
• Gerontology

Background:

• Adiponectin, an adipokine, has been suggested to play a role in cardiovascular health.
• Previous studies indicate potential links between adiponectin and left ventricular (LV) mass and function.
• Large-scale, community-based studies with robust confounder adjustment are needed to confirm these associations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between serum adiponectin levels and echocardiographic measures of cardiac geometry and function.
• To examine these relationships in large, community-based cohorts of elderly individuals.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional analysis of two large elderly cohorts: Prospective Investigation of the Vasculature in Uppsala Seniors (PIVUS) and Uppsala Longitudinal Study of Adult Men (ULSAM).
• Evaluated serum adiponectin in relation to echocardiographic parameters including LV mass index, relative wall thickness, ejection fraction, and diastolic function.
• Adjusted for multiple potential confounders such as age, sex, BMI, blood pressure, and metabolic markers.

Main Results:

• Serum adiponectin was inversely associated with ejection fraction in elderly men from both PIVUS and ULSAM cohorts, after adjusting for numerous covariates.
• No significant association between adiponectin and ejection fraction was observed in women.
• The inverse association between adiponectin and ejection fraction in men was attenuated after further adjustment for N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP).

Conclusions:

• Serum adiponectin concentrations are associated with reduced systolic function (ejection fraction) in elderly men.
• These associations appear to be partially mediated by natriuretic peptides, suggesting a role in the regulation of cardiac function.
• Adiponectin may influence male cardiac systolic function through pathways involving natriuretic peptides.