Serum adipokine levels in type 1 diabetic patients: association with carotid intima media thickness

Adipokines are markers of insulin resistance and play a role in the atherosclerotic process. The association of adipokines with the macrovascular complications of type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM) needs to be determined. The aim of this study was to measure serum adiponectin, leptin, and resistin levels in type 1 DM patients and investigate their relationship with carotid intima media thickness (CIMT), a clinical marker of atherosclerosis. Seventy-five type 1 DM patients and 115 sex and age-matched healthy controls were included in the study. Serum adiponectin, leptin, and resistin levels were measured by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA method). CIMT was assessed by Doppler ultrasonography. Adiponectin levels in diabetics were higher (25.8±14.8 μg/mL vs. 5.5±7.3 μg/mL; P