Adiponectin and Carotid Intimal Medial Thickness in Subjects With and Without Glucose Intolerance (CURES-82)

OBJECTIVE: This study assessed the association of serum adiponectin with carotid intimal medial thickness (IMT) in Asian Indians with different grades of glucose intolerance. METHODS: Subjects with normal glucose tolerance (NGT) (n = 520), impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) (n = 115), and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) (n = 540) were recruited from the Chennai Urban Rural Epidemiology Study, in south India. Adiponectin levels were measured using radioimmunoassay. Carotid IMT was assessed by high resolution B-mode ultrasonography. Insulin resistance was calculated using the homeostasis assessment model. RESULTS: Subjects with glucose intolerance (i.e., IGT and T2DM) were older compared to subjects with NGT. Waist circumference, systolic blood pressure, and serum triglycerides were higher among subjects with IGT and T2DM compared to subjects with NGT (P < 0.001). Subjects with glucose intolerance had significantly higher mean carotid IMT values and lower adiponectin compared to subjects with NGT (P < 0.001). Serum adiponectin levels were significantly correlated with IMT among NGT (P = 0.005) and IGT (P = 0.005) subjects but not in subjects with diabetes. Linear regression analysis revealed adiponectin to be negatively associated with IMT (P < 0.001) even after adjusting for age, gender, body mass index, insulin resistance, and glucose intolerance (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Carotid IMT is associated with lower serum adiponectin levels independent of conventional cardiovascular risk factors in urban South Indians.