Adiponectin is a novel, adipose-specific
protein abundantly present in the circulation, and it has antiatherogenic properties. We analyzed the plasma
adiponectin concentrations in age- and body mass index (BMI)-matched nondiabetic and type 2 diabetic subjects with and without
coronary artery disease (CAD). Plasma levels of
adiponectin in the diabetic subjects without CAD were lower than those in nondiabetic subjects (6.6+/-0.4 versus 7.9+/-0.5 microg/mL in men, 7.6+/-0.7 versus 11.7+/-1.0 microg/mL in women; P<0.001). The plasma
adiponectin concentrations of diabetic patients with CAD were lower than those of diabetic patients without CAD (4.0+/-0.4 versus 6.6+/-0.4 microg/mL, P<0.001 in men; 6.3+/-0.8 versus 7.6+/-0. 7 microg/mL in women). In contrast, plasma levels of
leptin did not differ between diabetic patients with and without CAD. The presence of microangiopathy did not affect the plasma
adiponectin levels in diabetic patients. Significant, univariate, inverse correlations were observed between
adiponectin levels and fasting plasma
insulin (r=-0.18, P<0.01) and
glucose (r=-0.26, P<0.001) levels. In multivariate analysis, plasma
insulin did not independently affect the plasma
adiponectin levels. BMI, serum
triglyceride concentration, and the presence of diabetes or CAD remained significantly related to plasma
adiponectin concentrations.
Weight reduction significantly elevated plasma
adiponectin levels in the diabetic subjects as well as the nondiabetic subjects. These results suggest that the decreased plasma
adiponectin concentrations in diabetes may be an
indicator of macroangiopathy.