Association of serum adiponectin level with glycemic control and atherogenic lipid profile in Sudanese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

BACKGROUND: The pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes mellitus (type 2 DM) involves two major abnormalities: insulin resistance(IR) and impaired insulin secretion, both of which contribute to the inability to regulate blood glucose levels. Adiponectin, a hormone secreted by adipose tissue, plays a role in glucose metabolism and possesses insulin-sensitizing properties. Additionally, adiponectin may play a central role in protecting against atherosclerosis by reducing inflammation, lipid accumulation, and oxidative stress. It has also been reported to increase nitric oxide production in endothelial cells through the activation of nitric oxide synthase. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of serum adiponectin level with glycemic control and atherogenic lipid profile in Sudanese patients with type 2 DM. METHODS: This was a case-control study. Patients with type 2 DM (n = 202) and healthy controls (n = 100) were consented and enrolled. Systolic and diastolic blood pressures (mm Hg), weight (kg), and height (m) were measured, and body mass index (kg/m²) was calculated. Blood samples were collected after an overnight fast. Fasting blood glucose (FBG), haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), and lipid profile were measured using enzymatic methods. Adiponectin levels were determined using a sandwich ELISA. Multiple regression analysis was conducted to assess the correlation of adiponectin levels with HbA1c and lipid profile parameters. RESULTS: Adiponectin levels were significantly lower in patients with type 2 DM compared to healthy controls (p < 0.001). Adiponectin was inversely correlated with HbA1c (β = −0.200, p = 0.005), total cholesterol (TC) (β = −0.140, p = 0.044), and low- density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) (β = −0.162, p = 0.022), and positively correlated with high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) (β = 0.160, p = 0.030). No correlation was observed with triglyceride (TG) levels. Patients with type 2 DM also exhibited significantly higher systolic and diastolic blood pressure, body mass index (BMI), fasting blood glucose (FBG), HbA1c, total cholesterol, and LDL-C levels, along with significantly lower HDL-C levels compared to healthy controls (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with type 2 DM had decreased serum adiponectin levels. The present study supports that adiponectin levels are associated with glycemic control and an atherogenic lipid profile. Adiponectin can be considered clinically relevant both as a potential dual biomarker and as a therapeutic target for glycemic control and atherogenic dyslipidemia in patients with type 2 DM.