Abstract
Objective To determine if higher adiponectin levels had any beneficial effects on atherosclerosis-related factors, a longitudinal study was conducted involving 77 subjects who underwent annual anti-aging health checks at Tokai University Tokyo Hospital.
Methods The subjects were divided into four groups (Quartile 1, n = 18, adiponectin < 5.9 μg/mL; Quartile 2, n = 19, adiponectin 5.9 to <8.3 μg/mL; Quartile 3, n = 20, adiponectin 8.3 to <11.4 μg/mL; Quartile 4, n = 20, adiponectin >11.4 μg/mL). The relationship between basal adiponectin level and the following parameters was evaluated: BMI, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, LDL-C, HDL-C, triglycerides, bilateral mean intima-media thickness (IMT) and lifestyle habits (exercise, smoking, drinking and supplement intake) and medical profile (present illness and past history) at baseline and after three years.
Results Baseline adiponectin was significantly negatively correlated with baseline BMI, systolic/diastolic BP and triglycerides, and positively correlated with HDL-C. After three years, BMI, diastolic BP and triglycerides showed a significantly negative correlation, and HDL-C showed a significantly positive correlation with baseline adiponectin. The average adiponectin value was significantly elevated after three years in Quartile 4, the highest basal adiponectin group. Baseline HDL-C was higher in Quartile 4 than in the other groups, and significant elevation was observed in HDL-C in Quartile 4 after three years. The percentage of exercisers was significantly increased in the highest basal adiponectin group after three years.
Conclusion Higher basal adiponectin led to further elevation of adiponectin and HDL-C after three years, through an increase in exercise behavior.
