Adiponectin levels in obese and non-obese middle-aged African-American women.

Context: Adiponectin levels in African-Americans are poorly described.

Objective: To assess predictors of serum adiponectin levels in obese and non-obese middle-aged African-American women.

Methods: Serum adiponectin, testosterone (T), free androgen index (FAI), estradiol, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS), leptin, sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), triglycerides and C-reactive protein (CRP) were measured in 142 obese and 102 non-obese, community-dwelling, African-American women in St. Louis, Missouri. Medical history, physical activity, anthropometry, medications and body composition were assessed.

Results: Adiponectin and SHBG levels were lower and leptin and CRP were higher in obese compared to non-obese women (P's < 0.01). Overall, log adiponectin was positively associated with age (R = 0.13) and log SHBG (R = 0.29), and inversely associated with anthropometric measures (R's = -0.17 to -0.36), serum androgens (R's = -0.21 to -0.23), log estradiol (R = -0.21), log leptin (R = -0.15), log triglycerides (R = -0.33) and log CRP (R = -0.29). Overall, multivariate modelling significantly predicted 32% of variation in adiponectin level; the most significant factors were WHR (β = -1.33), SHBG (β = 0.23) and triglycerides (β = -0.34). In non-obese women, the model predicted 27% of variation in adiponectin level; no individual factor was independently associated. In obese women, the model predicted 30% of variation in adiponectin level; the most significant factors were WHR (β = -1.49), triglycerides (β = -0.34) and history of stroke (β = -0.71).

Conclusions: Adiponectin level in African-American women is predicted by WHR, SHBG, and triglycerides; stroke history adds predictive value in obese women.