Adiponectin: serum levels, promoter polymorphism, and associations with birth size and cardiometabolic outcome in young adults born large for gestational age

ObjectiveTo assess whether the −11391G>A polymorphism in the regulatory region of the adiponectin gene (ADIPOQ) is associated with birth size, postnatal growth, adiponectinemia, and cardiometabolic risk in adult life.DesignCase–control study nested within a prospective cohort of 2063 community subjects born in 1978/1979 and followed since birth to date.MethodsADIPOQ −11391G>A genotype–phenotype associations were evaluated in 116 subjects born large for gestational age (LGA) and 392 gender-matched controls at birth (birth size), at 8–10 years (catch-down growth), and at 23–25 years of age (cardiometabolic profile).ResultsThe −11391A variant allele frequency was higher in LGA subjects (P=0.04). AA genotype was associated with augmented probability of being born LGA (odds ratio=4.14; 95% confidence interval: 1.16–16.7; P=0.03). This polymorphism was associated neither with body composition nor with postnatal growth pattern. At the age of 23–25 years, the −11391A variant allele was associated with higher serum adiponectin levels (GG: 10.7±6.2 versus GA: 12.2±6.5 versus AA: 14.2±6.8 μg/ml; P