Association of serum carotenoids with high molecular weight adiponectin and inflammation markers among Japanese subjects

Background: Several studies have reported that serum concentrations of carotenoids and adiponectin are inversely associated with the risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, no studies have investigated the association between serum concentrations of adiponectin and carotenoids in the general population. Methods: We investigated cross-sectionally whether serum carotenoids are associated with serum high molecular weight (HMW) adiponectin and some inflammatory markers in 437 Japanese subjects (116 men and 321 women) who attended a health examination. Results: In multiple linear regression analysis adjusted for confounding factors, serum beta-carotene concentrations were significantly associated with serum HMW adiponectin concentrations in both sexes (standardized beta coefficient = 0.197, p = 0.036 for men; standardized beta coefficient = 0.146, p = 0.012 for women). Serum alpha-carotene and beta-carotene concentrations were significantly associated with serum C-reactive protein (CRP) concentrations in men. In women, there were significant negative associations between serum carotenoids concentrations and serum interleukin-6 (IL-6) concentrations. Additional adjustment for serum concentrations of IL-6 or CRP did not significantly affect the association between carotenoids and HMW adiponectin in non-smoking men as well as in women. Conclusion: Serum beta-carotene concentrations were positively associated with serum HMW adiponectin concentrations even after adjustment for possible confounding factors including inflammatory markers. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.