ABSTRACT
The aim of the study was to elucidate whether serum adiponectin is associated with renal function, low - grade inflammatory markers, metabolic control and insulin resistance in type 1 diabetic patients with and without nephropathy. A total of 95 type 1 diabetic patients were divided into three groups based on their urinary albumin excretion rate [AER]: patients with normal AER had no antihypertensive medication, while patients with microalbuminuria or macroalbuminuria were all treated with an angiotensin converting enzyme [ACE] inhibitor. Renal function was estimated with the Cockroft-Gault formula. Adiponectin was measured by an immunofluorometric assay. In addition, glycosylated hemoglobin [HB[AIC]], estimated glucose disposal rate [GDR], urinary albumin levels, triglyceride, total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol [HDL-c] were performed for all patients. Adiponectin concentrations were higher in women than in men. The levels of adiponectin in type 1 diabetic patients with nephropathy increased gradually according to the clinical stage of the disease, being highest in macro album inuric stage. In a univariate analysis, adiponectin was positively associated with serum creatinine, systolic blood pressure, HB[AIC], total cholesterol, HDL-C and negatively with estimated glomerular filtration rate [GFR] and waist to hip ratio [WHR]. In a multiple linear regression analysis including the above variables, estimated GFR, AER and WHR were independently associated with adiponectin levels. In conclusion, serum adiponectin concentrations were increased in type 1 diabetic patients with nephropathy, and levels were further associated with renal insufficiency