ABSTRACT
Background: Adiponectin is an adipocytokine which may be a marker for coronary artery disease and appears to have protective metabolic and anti-inflammatory properties. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationships between serum adiponectin levels and insulin resistance, blood pressure, and cardio-respiratory function in sedentary men
Methods and materials: In this semi-experimental study, 45 young men, without experience of regular physical activity during the last six months, were selected. After 12 h fasting [at 8 A.M.], blood samples were collected to determine serum levels of adiponectin, insulin, and glucose. Cardio-respiratory function of subjects was estimated using Balke's treadmill protocol and their blood pressure was measured by sphygmomanometer. Data was analyzed by SPSS 16.0 software and the relationships were evaluated by Pearson's correlation coefficient. P value of less than 0.01 was considered statistically significant
Results: Adiponectin levels were negatively correlated with body mass index [r=?0.41, p<0.002], insulin [r=?0.45, p<0.009], glucose [r=?0.27, p<0.007], and HOMA index [r=?0.40, p<0.002], and positively correlated with maximal oxygen uptake [r=0.31, p<0.006]. No significant correlations were observed between adiponectin levels and systolic [r=?0.13, p<0.097] or diastolic blood pressure [r=?0.09, p<0.117]
Conclusions: It appears that in sedentary men, who have lower cardio-respiratory fitness, lower adiponectin levels may be associated with abnormal glycemia, promoting the probability of type II diabetes and cardiovascular disease in these subjects. Also, serum concentrations of adiponectin are directly correlated with cardio-respiratory function, but it appears that there is no correlation between adiponectin levels and blood pressure