Adiponectin is one of the most important molecules in the body’s compensatory response to the development of insulin resistance. By trying to maintain insulin sensitivity, increase insulin secretion and prevent inflammation, adiponectin tries to maintain glucose homeostasis. Interleukin-33, which belongs to the group of alarmins, also promotes insulin secretion. Interleukin-33 might be either pro-inflammatory or anti-inflammatory depending on the disease and the model. However, interleukin-33 has shown various protective effects in CVD, obesity and diabetes. The aim of our study was to investigate the association between adiponectin and interleukin-33 in patients with metabolic syndrome. As expected, all patients with metabolic syndrome had worse parameters that represent the hallmark of metabolic syndrome compared to the control group. In the subgroup of patients with low adiponectin, we observed less pronounced characteristics of metabolic syndrome simultaneously with significantly higher values of interleukin-33 compared to the subgroup of patients with high adiponectin. Our findings suggested that adiponectin might be an early marker of metabolic syndrome that emerges before anthropomorphic, biochemical and clinical parameters. We also suggest that both interleukin-33 and adiponectin may be used to predict the inflammatory status in the early stage of metabolic syndrome.

Background/Objectives: Cancer remains one of the leading causes of mortality worldwide and represents a major public health challenge in Serbia. Continuous monitoring of mortality trends is essential for evaluating progress in cancer control and identifying population groups requiring targeted interventions. This study aimed to analyze temporal trends in mortality from all malignant neoplasms in the Republic of Serbia during the period 2000–2021 using Joinpoint regression analysis. Methods: A population-based descriptive epidemiological study was conducted using mortality data for all malignant neoplasms (ICD-10: C00–C97) obtained from the Institute of Public Health of Serbia “Dr Milan Jovanović Batut”. Mortality trends were analyzed according to sex and age groups. Crude mortality rates, age-specific mortality rates, and age-standardized mortality rates (ASR) based on the Segi world standard population were calculated. Temporal changes were assessed using Joinpoint regression analysis, including annual percentage change (APC) and average annual percentage change (AAPC). Results: Between 2000 and 2021, a total of 448,391 deaths from malignant neoplasms were recorded in Serbia, including 254,988 deaths among men (56.9%) and 193,403 among women (43.1%). The mean age-standardized mortality rate was 135.2 per 100,000 population, with substantially higher rates among men than women (196.9 vs. 105.3 per 100,000). The highest number of deaths occurred among individuals aged 70–74 years, whereas the highest age-specific mortality rates were observed among those aged 80–84 years. Joinpoint regression demonstrated an overall significant decline in age-standardized mortality (AAPC −0.31%; p<0.001). Among men, mortality increased from 2000 to 2008 (APC +1.17%) followed by a significant decline until 2021 (AAPC −0.48%; p<0.001). Among women, mortality increased between 2000 and 2008 and subsequently declined; however, the overall trend remained stable (AAPC +0.03%; p=0.698). Conclusions: Although age-standardized cancer mortality in Serbia showed a gradual decline between 2000 and 2021, malignant neoplasms remain a substantial public health burden, particularly among older adults and men. Persistent sex differences and slower improvement among women indicate the need for targeted prevention strategies, strengthened screening programs, earlier diagnosis, and equitable access to cancer care.