Plasma adiponectin level is inversely correlated with albuminuria in overweight and obese nondiabetic individuals

Abstract Objective To explore the relationship between adiponectin and albuminuria in a large group of overweight and obese nondiabetic individuals after controlling for potential confounders. Material and Methods Detailed anthropometry, computed tomography-measured visceral abdominal adipose tissue, 24-h albuminuria, adiponectin and a series of biochemical parameters were assessed. Four hundred forty patients, predominantly of Caucasian origin, were included (80.2% female). A multiple linear regression model was developed, with albuminuria as the dependent variable and potential predictors as independent variables. Results The mean age was 40 ± 13 years, the mean body mass index was 35.7 ± 6.6 kg/m2 , and the median visceral abdominal adipose tissue was 142.4 (92.3–194.0) cm2 . 10.9% of subjects exhibited microalbuminuria. The median adiponectin level was 9.08 (6.23–12.94) μg/ml, and the median fasting serum glucose level was 83 (77–89) mg/dl. The strongest significant univariate correlations with albuminuria were visceral abdominal adipose tissue (r = 0.258, p < 0.001), adiponectin (r = − 0.265, p < 0.001), waist circumference (r = 0.250, p < 0.001), waist-to-hip ratio (r = 0.236, p < 0.001) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (r = − 0.211, p < 0.001). The multiple linear regression model revealed a significant positive independent correlation between visceral abdominal adipose tissue and albuminuria (r = 0.134, p = 0.033), between fasting glucose levels and albuminuria (r = 0.390, p = 0.029) and between gender and albuminuria (r = 0.107, p = 0.038). A significant independent negative correlation was identified between adiponectin and albuminuria (r = − 0.255, p = 0.022). Conclusions We observed an independent inverse relationship between adiponectin and albuminuria in overweight and obese nondiabetic individuals. Further investigations are needed to confirm this finding and to clarify whether adiponectin is a risk marker or plays a causative role in developing obesity-induced nephropathy.