Association of adiponectin, resistin, and vascular inflammation: Analysis with 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography

Objective- Adiponectin and resistin are adipokines that are linked to obesity, inflammation, and atherosclerosis. F-Fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography is a promising imaging technique that can be used to evaluate vascular inflammation. Methods and Results- We measured adiponectin and resistin levels, as well as traditional cardiovascular risk factors, in 60 obese subjects and 60 nonobese controls. In addition, we compared carotid intima-media thickness and target-to-background ratio (TBR) measured using F-fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography/computed tomography. The mean TBR values were significantly higher in the obese group compared with normal subjects, although their mean carotid intima-media thickness levels were not significantly different. Serum adiponectin levels showed a significant negative correlation with mean TBR values (r=-0.215, P=0.020), whereas resistin levels were positively correlated with mean TBR values (r=0.214, P=0.021). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that mean TBR values were independently associated with body mass index, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, and resistin levels (R=0.308). Conclusion- Adiponectin and resistin may be useful as biomarkers to reflect vascular inflammation. In particular, resistin levels were independently associated with vascular inflammation even after adjusting for other cardiovascular risk factors.