ABSTRACT
Adiponectin is an adipocyte-derived hormone associated with insulin sensitivity and atherosclerotic risk. As central rather than gluteofemoral fat is known to increase the risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, we investigated the mRNA and protein expression of adiponectin in human adipose tissue depots. RNA was extracted from 46 human adipose tissue samples from non-diabetic subjects aged 44.33 +/- 12.4 with a BMI of 28.3 +/- 6.0 (mean +/- SD). The samples were as follows: 21 abdominal subcutaneous, 13 omentum, 6 thigh; samples were also taken from diabetic subjects aged 66.6 +/- 7.5 with BMI 28.9 +/- 3.17; samples were: 6 abdominal subcutaneous; 3 thigh. Quantitative PCR and Western analysis was used to determine adiponectin content. Protein content studies determined that when compared with non-diabetic abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue (Abd Sc AT) (values expressed as percentage relative to Abd Sc AT -100 %). Adiponectin protein content was significantly lower in non-diabetic omental AT (25 +/- 1.6 %; p < 0.0001, n = 6) and in Abd Sc AT from diabetic subjects (36 +/- 1.5 %; p < 0.0001, n = 4). In contrast, gluteal fat maintained high adiponectin protein content from non-diabetic patients compared with diabetic patients. An increase in BMI was associated with lower adiponectin protein content in obese ND Abd Sc AT (25 +/- 0.4 %; p < 0.0001). These findings were in agreement with the mRNA expression data. In summary, this study indicates that adiponectin protein content in non-diabetic subjects remains high in abdominal subcutaneous fat, including gluteal fat, explaining the high serum adiponectin levels in these subjects. Omental fat, however, expresses little adiponectin. Furthermore, abdominal and gluteal subcutaneous fat appears to express significantly less adiponectin once diabetic status is reached. In conclusion, the adipose tissue depot-specific expression of adiponectin may influence the pattern of serum adiponectin concentrations and subsequent disease risk.
Subject(s)
Adipose Tissue/metabolism , Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/metabolism , Diabetes Mellitus/metabolism , Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins , Obesity , Proteins/metabolism , Adipocytes/metabolism , Adiponectin , Humans , Immunohistochemistry , In Vitro Techniques , Omentum/cytology , Omentum/metabolism , RNA, Messenger/analysis , Subcutaneous Tissue/metabolism , Thigh , Tissue DistributionABSTRACT
Type 1 insulin-dependent, diabetes mellitus (Type 1 DM) is thought to be more prevalent in individuals with Down's syndrome. To ascertain the local prevalence of Type 1 DM in patients with Down's syndrome in a geographically defined area, the four diabetes clinics in Lothian were surveyed and 13 patients with Down's syndrome and Type 1 DM were identified. Using data from previous epidemiological surveys which determined the prevalence of Down's syndrome in the general population, the prevalence rate of Type 1 DM in patients with Down's syndrome was calculated to be between 1.4 and 10.6%, a prevalence considerably higher than in the general population. Although 7 (54%) of the Down's syndrome patients were treated with once daily administration of insulin, the mean HbA1c value of the group was similar to that observed in a control group of 39 age-, sex- and duration-matched Type 1 patients, all of whom were taking two or more injections of insulin daily. Glycaemic control was therefore of similar quality to matched Type 1 patients without Down's syndrome, despite the frequent use of simple insulin regimens, which may relate to the more stable lifestyle of these patients.
