Hypoadiponectinemia, cardiometabolic comorbidities and left ventricular hypertrophy

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Metabolic Syndrome
• Endocrinology

Background:

• Adiponectin (ADPN) is an adipokine with known cardioprotective and insulin-sensitizing effects.
• Low plasma adiponectin levels (hypoadiponectinemia) are associated with obesity and metabolic syndrome.
• The impact of hypoadiponectinemia on left ventricular (LV) geometry and function requires further elucidation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the prevalence of cardiometabolic comorbidities in subjects with low or normal plasma ADPN levels.
• To assess changes in left ventricular (LV) geometry and function in relation to ADPN levels.
• To identify predictors of LV mass index (LVMI) in subjects with varying ADPN levels.

Main Methods:

• Echocardiography and pulsed-wave Doppler were used to assess LV internal diameter, mass (LVM), mass index (LVMI), relative wall thickness (RWT), ejection fraction, and diastolic parameters.
• Subjects (n=135) were subgrouped based on plasma ADPN levels (low vs. normal).
• Statistical analyses included comparisons between groups and regression analyses to identify independent predictors of LVMI.

Main Results:

• Subjects with low ADPN levels exhibited significantly higher BMI, waist-to-hip ratio, triglycerides, prevalence of obesity, visceral obesity, left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), metabolic syndrome (MetS), and coronary artery disease (CAD).
• Low ADPN was associated with significantly reduced high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol levels.
• Hypoadiponectinemia was characterized by significantly higher LVM, LVMI, interventricular septum thickness, and RWT, and a significantly lower LV ejection fraction compared to normal ADPN.
• LVMI correlated directly with BMI, mean blood pressure, and MetS, and inversely with ADPN.
• Regression analysis indicated that ADPN and BMI were independently associated with LVMI.

Conclusions:

• Hypoadiponectinemia is associated with an increased prevalence of cardiometabolic comorbidities and adverse left ventricular remodeling (increased LVMI).
• Adiponectin and BMI are key independent predictors of LVMI, suggesting their critical role in cardiac damage.
• Adiponectin may represent a novel therapeutic target for managing cardiometabolic risk and preventing cardiac complications.