Context: Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is associated with insulin resistance despite elevated levels of the insulin-sensitizing protein adiponectin. Whether the expected positive correlation between adiponectin and insulin sensitivity is preserved in a T1D population is unknown. Objective: We measured the correlation between total and high-molecular-weight (HMW) adiponectin and insulin sensitivity in T1D patients and nondiabetic controls and identified determinants of adiponectin levels in patients with T1D. Design and Participants: Fasting total and HMW adiponectin were measured in 86 subjects from the Coronary Artery Calcification in T1D (CACTI) cohort (39 T1D, 47 nondiabetic; age 45 ± 8 yr; 55% female). The association of adiponectin levels with insulin sensitivity was analyzed. Setting: The study was conducted at an academic research institute. Methods: Fasting total and HMW adiponectin were measured by RIA and ELISA, respectively. Insulin sensitivity was measured by a hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp. Multivariate linear regression was used to identify determinants of adiponectin levels. Results: Adiponectin levels positively correlated with insulin sensitivity in both subject groups (total adiponectin, r = 0.33 P < 0.05 for T1D, r = 0.29 P < 0.05 controls), but insulin sensitivity was lower in T1D subjects at any given level of total or HMW adiponectin. Adiponectin levels were independently associated with age, gender, and trunk fat, but these variables did not account for increased adiponectin in patients with T1D. Conclusion: Adiponectin levels are positively correlated with insulin sensitivity in T1D patients. However, T1D patients have decreased insulin sensitivity compared with controls at every level of adiponectin, suggesting an important adaptive change of adiponectin set point.

Omega–3 fatty acids prevent cardiovascular disease (CVD) events in patients with myocardial infarction or heart failure. Benefits in patients without overt CVD have not been demonstrated, though most studies did not use treatment doses (3.36 g) of omega-3 fatty acids. Arterial stiffness measured by pulse wave velocity (PWV) predicts CVD events independent of standard risk factors. However, no therapy has been shown to reduce PWV in a blood pressure-independent manner. We assessed the effects of esterified omega–3 fatty acids on PWV and serum markers of inflammation among patients with hypertension. We performed a prospective, randomized; double-blinded pilot study of omega-3 fatty acids among 62 patients in an urban, safety net hospital. Patients received 3.36 g of omega–3 fatty acids vs. matched placebo daily for 3-months. The principal outcome measure was change in brachial-ankle PWV. Serum inflammatory markers associated with CVD risk were also assessed. The majority (71 %) were of Latino ethnicity. After 3-months, mean change in arterial PWV among omega-3 and placebo groups was −97 cm/s vs. −33 cm/s respectively (p = 0.36 for difference, after multivariate adjustment for baseline age, systolic blood pressure, and serum adiponectin). Non-significant reductions in lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (LpPLA2) mass and high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) relative to placebo were also observed (p = 0.08, and 0.21, respectively). High-dose omega-3 fatty acids did not reduce arterial PWV or markers of inflammation among patients within a Latino-predominant population with hypertension. NCT00935766 , registered July 8 2009.

Latinos in the United States have a higher prevalence of type 2 diabetes than non-Latino whites, even after controlling for adiposity. Decreased adiponectin is associated with insulin resistance and predicts T2DM, and therefore may mediate this ethnic difference. We compared total and high-molecular-weight (HMW) adiponectin in Latino versus white individuals, identified factors associated with adiponectin in each ethnic group, and measured the contribution of adiponectin to ethnic differences in insulin resistance.

Low circulating adiponectin levels may contribute to higher diabetes risk among Mexican Americans (MA) compared to non-Latino whites (NLW). Our objective was to determine if among young healthy adult MAs have lower adiponectin than NLWs, independent of differences in adiposity. In addition, we explored associations between adiponectin and diet. This was an observational, cross-sectional study of healthy MA and NLW adults living in Colorado (U.S.A.). We measured plasma total adiponectin, adiposity (BMI, and visceral adipose tissue), insulin sensitivity (IVGTT), and self-reported dietary intake in 43 MA and NLW adults. Mean adiponectin levels were 40% lower among MA than NLW (5.8 ± 3.3 vs. 10.7 ± 4.2 µg/mL, p = 0.0003), and this difference persisted after controlling for age, sex, BMI, and visceral adiposity. Lower adiponectin in MA was associated with lower insulin sensitivity (R² = 0.42, p < 0.01). Lower adiponectin was also associated with higher dietary glycemic index, lower intake of vegetables, higher intake of trans fat, and higher intake of grains. Our findings confirm that ethnic differences in adiponectin reflect differences in insulin sensitivity, but suggest that these are not due to differences in adiposity. Observed associations between adiponectin and diet support the need for future studies exploring the regulation of adiponectin by diet and other environmental factors.