Plasma visfatin and adiponectin concentrations in physically active adolescent girls: relationships with insulin...

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the associations of visfatin and adiponectin concentrations with insulin resistance and body composition in regularly physically active pubertal girls. In 129 girls, aged 13-15 years (pubertal stages 3-5), visfatin, adiponectin, insulin resistance measured by homeostasis model assessment (HOMA), and body composition measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry were evaluated. Visfatin concentration was related to HOMA and overall adiposity (body mass index, fat mass) markers, whereas adiponectin concentration was related to overall adiposity (fat mass), central adiposity (trunk fat) and fat free mass values. These relationships remained significant (p < 0.05) after adjusting for pubertal stage. Visfatin was independently related to body mass index (beta = 0.936; p = 0.0001) and HOMA (beta = 0.444; p = 0.039) indices, whereas adiponectin was independently related to fat free mass (beta = 0.889; p = 0.003) and trunk fat (beta = -0.468; p = 0.042) values. In conclusion, visfatin could be related to insulin resistance and overall adiposity indices, whereas adiponectin was related to different body composition values in regularly physically active pubertal girls.