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Horm Metab Res 2005; 37(11): 695-701
DOI: 10.1055/s-2005-870580
Original Clinical
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

The Relationship Between Insulin Sensitivity and Serum Adiponectin Levels in Three Population Groups

W.  F.  Ferris1 , N.  H.  Naran2 , N.  J.  Crowther3 , P.  Rheeder4 , L.  van der Merwe5 , N.  Chetty2
  • 1Endocrinology and Metabolism Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Stellenbosch, Tygerberg, South Africa
  • 2Department of Haematology and Molecular Medicine, National Health Laboratory Service, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
  • 3Department of Chemical Pathology, National Health Laboratory Service, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
  • 4Clinical Epidemiology Division, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
  • 5Biostatistics Unit, Medical Research Council, Tygerberg, South Africa
Further Information

Publication History

Received 6 January 2005

Accepted after revision 17 May 2005

Publication Date:
25 November 2005 (online)

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Abstract

Reduced plasma adiponectin levels are associated with insulin resistance. Black South Africans, like African Americans, are more insulin-resistant than BMI-matched white subjects, as are Asian Indians. We investigated whether this interethnic variation in insulin resistance is due to differences in plasma adiponectin levels. Blood and anthropometric measurements were taken from black, white and Asian-Indian subjects. Serum adiponectin, lipids, glucose and insulin were measured; insulin sensitivity was calculated using HOMA. Black (HOMA = 2.62 ± 0.99) and Asian-Indian subjects (HOMA = 3.41 ± 2.85) were more insulin-resistant than BMI-matched white (HOMA = 1.76 ± 0.63) subjects (p = 0.0001). Furthermore, the white subjects had higher adiponectin levels (8.11 ± 4.39 µg/ml) compared to black (5.71 ± 2.50 µg/ml) and Asian Indian (5.86 ± 2.50 µg/ml) subjects (p = 0.003). When all ethnic groups were combined, multiple regression analysis demonstrated that serum adiponectin levels corrected for BMI and ethnicity did not correlate with HOMA, but did explain 10.0 % of the variance in HDL-cholesterol levels. Within each ethnic group, adiponectin only correlated inversely with HOMA in white subjects. Adiponectin may play a role in determining serum HDL-cholesterol levels, but ethnic variation in insulin sensitivity is not dependent on serum levels of this adipokine. The relationship between adiponectin and insulin resistance varies across ethnic groups.

Key words

Obesity - HOMA - HDL - ethnicity

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W. F. Ferris

Endocrinology and Metabolism Unit · Department of Internal Medicine · Faculty of Health Sciences · University of Stellenbosch

PO Box 19063 · Tygerberg 7505 · South Africa ·

Phone: +27 (21) 938 9448

Fax: +27 (21) 931 7442

Email: Wferris@sun.ac.za