Relationships between plasma adiponectin and body fat distribution, insulin sensitivity, and plasma lipoproteins in Alaskan Yup’ik Eskimos: the Center for Alaska Native Health Research study.

Description

The relationships between adiponectin and adiposity indices, insulin resistance, plasma lipids, glucose, and leptin were examined in a sample of 316 men and 353 women among the Yup’ik Eskimos from Southwest Alaska. In men and women, adiponectin concentrations were negatively correlated with body mass index, percent body fat, waist circumference, sum of skinfolds, triglycerides, insulin, insulin resistance (homeostasis model of insulin resistance: HOMA-IR), and leptin, and were positively associated with HDL cholesterol. There was also a significant negative relationship between adiponectin and glucose concentrations, but only in women. Moreover, insulin-sensitive (HOMA-IR<3.52) individuals were characterized by higher adiponectin levels than more insulin-resistant (HOMA-IR ≥3.52) individuals (11.02±0.27 vs. 8.26±0.32 mg/ml, p<0.001). While adiponectin concentrations did not differ between men with normal fasting glucose and men with impaired fasting glucose, adiponectin concentrations were lower in women with impaired fasting glucose as compared to those with normal fasting glucose (p=0.052). Finally, when Yup’ik Eskimos were matched with Whites on the basis of age, sex, and body mass index, there was no difference in adiponectin concentrations between the two groups. Whether these findings mean this population has a greater risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease remains to be studied.