Association of serum adiponectin levels with albuminuria among type 2 diabetes mellitus patients

Adiponectin is an adipocytokine produced by adipose tissue. It has insulin sensitizing effects, potential antiinflammatory and anti-atherogenic properties. Adiponectin is known to play a protective role on kidneys by preventing albuminuria. A lower concentration of adiponectin is noted, in conditions of resistance to insulin, diabetes mellitus, and CKD. But among the CKD micro and macro albuminuric daibetic nephropathy patients have increased adiponectin levels. Hence there is an ambiguity concerning albuminuria in diabetes mellitus and increased levels of adiponectin. In this background, the present study was taken to investigate correlation of serum adiponectin levels with degrees of albuminuria in type 2 diabetic patients.

Study included 60 diabetic patients and they were classified into three groups based on the degree of albuminuria. The levels of serum adiponectin and albuminuria was analyzed among the groups and healthy controls

The levels of serum adiponectin and albuminuria was analysed among the groups and healthy controls. A statistically significant difference was found between type 2 diabetic patients as compared to healthy controls (p <0.001). And it was significantly higher in type 2 diabetes patients with macroalbuminuria when compared to healthy controls (p <0.001, ANOVA).

It concluded that among the diabetic nephropathy patients, serum levels of adiponectin are increasing with the progression of renal failure as well as the levels of albuminuria. Since, hypoadiponectinemia is associated with inflammation, atherogenic properties and insulin resistance, adiponectin is secreted more likely so as to alleviate their detrimental effects in diabetic nephropathy patients.