Serum insulin-like growth factor-I is negatively associated with serum adiponectin in type 2 diabetes mellitus

Although insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate (DHEA-S) are involved in age-related diseases such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes mellitus, the association of these hormones with serum adiponectin level is still unclear.

To investigate the association between serum IGF-I and DHEA-S versus adiponectin, we conducted a cross-sectional study of 348 Japanese men with type 2 diabetes mellitus and examined their relationships. Serum total adiponectin level was measured by an ELISA kit.

Simple correlation analysis showed that patients' age and duration of diabetes were negatively correlated with IGF-I and DHEA-S (p<0.01) and positively with adiponectin (p<0.01), while body mass index (BMI) was positively correlated with IGF-I and DHEA-S (p<0.001) and negatively with adiponectin (p<0.001). IGF-I was negatively correlated with adiponectin (r=-0.25, p<0.001) and DHEA-S was negatively correlated with adiponectin and HbA1c (r=-0.17, p=0.003 and r=-0.12, p=0.027, respectively). In multiple regression analysis adjusted for age, duration of diabetes, BMI, and serum creatinine, HbA1c was negatively associated with IGF-I and DHEA-S (β=-0.12, p=0.036 and β=-0.22, p<0.001, respectively). Adiponectin was negatively associated with IGF-I (β=-0.15, p=0.013), but not DHEA-S. Moreover, this association was still significant after additional adjustment for HbA1c (β=-0.18, p=0.005).

Present cross-sectional study for the first time showed a negative association of serum IGF-I with serum adiponectin in Japanese men with type 2 diabetes independent of age, duration of diabetes, BMI, renal function, and HbA1c.