Association between Adiponectin, Serum Lipids and Obesity in a University Setting in Nigeria

Summary: Obesity is an energy imbalance condition, which is accompanied by metabolic and cardiovascular complications. Adiponectin, produced by adipocytes, is an important adipokine involved in carbohydrate and lipid metabolism. Adiponectin level is altered in obesity in various populations. In Nigeria, very few studies regarding adiponectin exist, and none, to the best of our knowledge, investigated the relationship between adiponectin and lipid profile and obesity. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate changes in adiponectin level and serum lipids with body mass index, and investigate the relationship between adiponectin, serum lipids and obesity in Nigerian adults. Anthropometric parameters and blood pressure were measured, and blood samples were collected for biochemical assessment after 12 hours fasting, in a total of 280 subjects, comprising of 186 males and 94 females. Serum adiponectin level was evaluated by ELISA, while serum lipid profile was determined by enzymatic endpoint method. Quantitative data were analyzed for significant difference using ANOVA, and Pearson’s correlation was used to evaluate relationships. Serum adiponectin level was significantly (P ˂ 0.05) highest within overweight male subjects (1.6 ± 0.06 μg/ml), and lowest within normal male subjects (1.4 ± 0.03 μg/ml). The values for adiponectin concentrations were not significantly different in the female subjects. There was no association in serum lipids and adiponectin in both male (r = -0.035, P >0.05; r = -0.011, P >0.05; r = -0.053, P >0.05; r = -0.084, P >0.05) and female (r =0.061, P >0.05; r = 0.018, P>0.05; r = 0.057, P>0.05; r = -0.021, P >0.05) for LDL, HDL, TC and TRIG respectively. Lipid profile was not different across BMI classes. There was no relationship between adiponectin and serum lipids in individuals in the study population of adult Nigerians.