Plasma Adiponectin Concentration in Relation to Severity of Coronary Atherosclerosis and Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Middle-Aged Men

Adiponectin, an adipocyte-derived protein, seems to be a link between obesity, insulin resistance, and atherosclerosis. The present study investigated the association between adiponectin and coronary artery disease in middle-aged men. Material and methods: We examined 48 men (aged 40–60) with angiographically confirmed coronary atherosclerosis and 19 healthy men, matched by age, as a control group. Concentrations of glucose and lipids were estimated with enzymatic methods. Plasma level of adiponectin, total and free testosterone, estradiol, estrone, DHEA-S, and insulin were estimated with RIA commercial kits. Results: Men with coronary atherosclerosis had lower plasma adiponectin level than controls (16.2±9.2 vs 20.5±6.7 µg/mL; p