Reduced Serum Adiponectin Levels in Type 2 Diabetic Patients in Zaria

Background: Adiponectin is a collagen-like plasma protein secreted by adipocytes that has been suggested to playa causal role in the development of insulin resistance. Even though hypoadiponectinaemia is reported to be closelyassociated with obesity-related diseases such as ACVD, type 2 DM, dyslipidaemia, report from our environmentis lacking.Materials and Methods: Serum adiponectin, insulin and glucose were measured in 90 type 2 diabetic and controlsubjects respectively. The patients were known diabetics attending the diabetic clinic at the ABUTH, Zaria. Thecontrol subjects were apparently healthy individuals within the hospital and Zaria environs.Results: Mean serum adiponectin levels were significantly lower (P<0.05) in the diabetic patients than in thecontrol subjects. On the other hand, the mean values of insulin and glucose were significantly higher (P<0.05) inthe diabetic patients than in the controls.Conclusion: Measurement of serum adiponectin as an adjunct in the biochemical assessment of type 2 DM issuggested.