Plasma levels of adiponectin and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 in Turkish obese children

Introduction: It is known that obesity itself is a risk factor for atherosclerosis. Dyslipidemia, insulin resistance and the deficiency of the adiponectin (ADPN), which is an adipocytokine increasing the insulin sensitivity, are the main factors known for their relations with the obesity and atherosclerosis. This study aimed to determine the levels of plasma ADPN in obese children and its relationship with several other factors associated with atherosclerosis. Materials and Method: Plasma levels of ADPN, plasminogen activator inhbitor-1 (PAI-1), lipids and insulin and blood hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels were measured and their relations with each other were determined in 30 obese and 28 healthy children. Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was performed to obese children and ADPN and PAI-1 levels were rechecked at the second hour of OGTT. Results: In obese children, the basal ADPN and PAI-1 levels were lower, than their levels obtained 2 hours after the OGTT. Basal ADPN levels showed negative correlation with the body mass index, and triglyceride, very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) and insulin levels. Negative correlation was also detected between the postprandial PAI-1 and high density lipoprotein (HDL), and between plasma ADPN and insulin and triglyceride levels. While the changes in triglyceride and insulin levels negatively affected the ADPN, the changes in HbA1c affected ADPN positively. Conclusion: Our study indicates that, plasma ADPN level can be used as a follow up marker for atherosclerosis.