What is the clinical evidence from this study?

Study design: Cross-Sectional. Population: Obesity (n=64). Intervention: Adiponectin gene SNP45 G allele vs. Adiponectin gene SNP45 TT genotype. Primary outcome: Visceral fat area to subcutaneous fat area (V/S) ratio in men (p=<0.001).

What question did this study set out to answer?

This study aims to explore how genetic variations in the adiponectin gene affect body fat distribution and atherosclerosis in obese individuals.

April 1, 2026Open Access

Association of genetic variation of the adiponectin gene with body fat distribution and carotid atherosclerosis in Japanese obese subjects.

Q: What are the key findings of this study?

Men carrying the G allele of the adiponectin gene SNP45 had a significantly higher visceral-to-subcutaneous fat ratio (1.00 vs 0.60) and carotid plaque score (9.5 vs 6.8) than the TT genotype.

Q: What question did this study set out to answer?

This study aims to explore how genetic variations in the adiponectin gene affect body fat distribution and atherosclerosis in obese individuals.

Key Result

Men carrying the G allele of the adiponectin gene SNP45 had a significantly higher visceral-to-subcutaneous fat ratio (1.00 vs 0.60) and carotid plaque score (9.5 vs 6.8) than the TT genotype.

Key Points

This study aims to explore how genetic variations in the adiponectin gene affect body fat distribution and atherosclerosis in obese individuals.
Analyzed 64 obese subjects for SNP45 genotypes via polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism.
Measured visceral fat area and subcutaneous fat area using computed tomography.
Evaluated atherosclerosis by plaque score of the carotid artery using B-mode ultrasonography.
Men with the G allele of SNP45 had a higher visceral fat area compared to TT genotype carriers (172.8 vs. 147.1, p=0.005).
G allele carriers also showed lower subcutaneous fat area than TT carriers (209.9 vs. 273.4, p=0.007).
The visceral fat to subcutaneous fat ratio was significantly higher in G allele carriers (1.00 vs. 0.60, p <0.001).
Plaque scores were greater in G allele carriers (9.5 vs. 6.8, p=0.012).
SNP45 was identified as an independent factor influencing both the V/S ratio and plaque score.

Study Design

Type

Cross-Sectional (n=64)

Multicenter

Structured PICO

Does the G allele of SNP45 of the adiponectin gene increase visceral adiposity and carotid atherosclerosis in Japanese obese subjects?

Population

Japanese obese subjects

Intervention

Presence of the G allele of SNP45 of the adiponectin gene

Comparator

TT genotype of SNP45 of the adiponectin gene

Outcome

Body fat distribution (visceral fat area, subcutaneous fat area, V/S ratio) and carotid atherosclerosis (plaque score)surrogate

The G allele of the adiponectin gene SNP45 is associated with increased visceral adiposity and carotid atherosclerosis in Japanese obese men, suggesting it is a genetic risk factor for metabolic syndrome.

Main Result

Absolute Event Rate: 1% vs 0.6%

p-value: p=<0.001

Limitations

Total adiponectin was measured without assessing multimeric forms (HMW vs LMW)
Small sample size of 64 subjects
Mechanistic relationship between SNP45 and atherosclerosis progression remains unclear

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of SNP45 of the adiponectin gene on body fat distribution and carotid atherosclerosis in Japanese obese subjects. Methods: A total of 64 obese subjects were investigated. Genotypes of SNP45 were assayed by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism. Visceral fat area (VFA) and subcutaneous fat area (SFA) were measured using computed tomography. The progression of atherosclerosis was evaluated by plaque score (PS) of carotid artery using B-mode ultrasonography. Results: Men carrying the G allele of SNP45 showed higher VFA (172.8±50.8 vs. 147.1±58.7, p=0.005), lower SFA (209.9±101.8 vs. 273.4±142.2, p=0.007), higher VFA/SFA (V/S) ratio (1.00±0.46 vs. 0.60±0.26, p <0.001) and higher PS (9.5±3.7 vs. 6.8±4.2, p=0.012) than those with TT genotype. Multivariate analysis showed that SNP45 was an independent determinant of V/S ratio and PS in men. In subgroup analysis, PS tended to be associated with V/S ratio only in the carrier of 45G allele. Conclusion: These results suggest that the G allele could be a risk factor of metabolic syndrome and the development of atherosclerosis in Japanese obese subjects.