- Adipose tissue secretes many adipocytokines ofwhich adiponectin modulates a number of vital
metabolic processes related to glucose homeostasis and fatty acid catabolism - It is exclusively secreted from adipose tissue into the blood and is abundant in plasma at
levels of 5-10 μg/mL. Girls have higher levels than boys. Levels of the hormone are inversely correlated with BMI and body fat percentage in adults. The association in infants and young children is less clear. - Adiponectin self-associates into larger structures. Three adiponectin oligomers bind
together to form a trimer; trimers self-associate to form hexamers, dodecamers or high molecular mass (HMW) isoforms consisting of at least 12 to 18 protomers. Thus adiponectin circulates in at least three different subforms. Each isoform of adiponectin exerts distinct biological properties in target tissues - Recent studies indicate that HMW oligomer may be the most biologically active form concerning glucose
homeostasis, whereas the central actions are attributed to the low molecular weight oligomers - Adiponectin modulates a number of metabolic processes including those resulting in type 2 diabetes
(T2DM), obesity, coronary artery disease and metabolic syndrome. Contrary to expectations, adiponectin is
decreased in obesity. The association of low adiponectin levels with obesity and hyperinsulinemia has been
confirmed in cross sectional studies in 5 and 10 year old children; however, the association with hyperinsulinemia is not completely independent of obesity [4]. Probably adiponectin plays a less important role in whole body insulin sensitivity in children - Studies in children are limited. A longitudinal study from Germany showed that children and adolescents with T1DM have BMI-dependent elevated serum adiponectin compared with healthy children [6]. There were similar observations in obese diabetic boys in an earlier study published.Adiponectincan be a marker
for complications in children with T1DM
Dr. Jayaprakash
Superintendent, ICH.
Institute of Child Health.
Gov. Medical College Kottayam.
Kerala, India.