Plasma adiponectin is associated with less atherogenic lipoprotein phenotype

Background and aims: This study examined the relationships between plasma levels of adiponectin and the features of the atherogenic lipoprotein phenotype (ALP), including HDL subclasses. Methods and results: Blood lipids and apolipoproteins were measured in 293 healthy individuals. LDL particle size and HDL subspecies (HDL ₂, HDL ₃) were measured using gradient gel electrophoresis. Plasma adiponectin levels were negatively correlated with levels of apoB (r=-0.199, p<0.001), TG (r=-0.262, p<0.001), and HOMA-IR (r=-0.323, p<0.001) and positively correlated with levels of apoAI (r=0.173, p=0.006), HDL-cholesterol (r=0.287, p<0.001), and LDL particle size (r=0.289, p<0.001). Multiple linear regression analysis revealed the relationship between plasma adiponectin and LDL particle size (p<0.05) was no longer significant after adjusting for plasma TG levels. However, adiponectin (p<0.005) together with apoAI and TG were independent factors for HDL-cholesterol. With regard to HDL subclasses, plasma adiponectin levels were positively correlated with HDL _2b (r=0.204, p<0.001), HDL _2a (r=0.132, p<0.05) and negatively with HDL _3a (r=-0.128, p<0.05), HDL _3b (r=-0.203, p<0.001), and HDL _3c (r=-0.159, p<0.01). The relationship between circulating adiponectin and HDL ₂ (HDL _2b+HDL _2a) was independent of apoB and TG levels (p<0.05), but not of apoAI and HOMA-IR. Conclusions: Our results show that circulating adiponectin is associated with reduced manifestations of ALP.