The variation of plasma concentrations of a novel, adipocyte derived protein, adiponectin, in patients with acute myocardial infarction

Adiponectin is a new member of adipocyte derived proteins belonging to the soluble defence collagens. 1 Plasma adiponectin concentrations in obese subjects are decreased in spite of an adipose specific expression. 1 More interestingly, the patients with chronic coronary artery disease exhibited lower plasma adiponectin concentrations compared to body mass index (BMI) matched control subjects. 2 On the other hand, adiponectin accumulates in the vascular subendothelial space when the endothelial barrier is damaged. 3 In vitro, adiponectin suppresses the expression of adhesion molecules in the vascular endothelial cells and cytokine production from macrophages. 2, 4 Therefore, the molecule may be involved in the inflammation and tissue repairing processes. Active inflammation and accumulation of activated monocyte derived macrophages secreting cytokines, chemokines, growth regulating molecules, and metalloproteinases were observed at the site of coronary plaque rupture in acute coronary syndrome. 5 Adiponectin inhibits the expression of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, endothelial leucocyte adhesion molecule-1, and intracellular adhesion molecule-1, which are detected in human atherosclerotic lesions, through the inactivation of tumour necrosis factor α (TNFα).