Association of adipokine levels and insulin resistance in prediabetes: hospital-based descriptive study in a tertiary care hospital in North Kerala

Objective Increasing evidence revealed the role of adipokines in carbohydrates and fat metabolism. The present study was designed to evaluate the adiponectin, leptin, and resistin levels in prediabetes subjects and evaluate the relationship between these adipokines and insulin resistance. Methods A hospital-based descriptive study was conducted for one year. 200 individuals who met the inclusion criteria were enrolled in the study. Based on the oral glucose tolerance test, the study subjects were grouped into healthy controls (n = 100), prediabetic non-obese (n = 61), and prediabetic obese (n = 39). Blood glucose estimation was done by the glucose oxidase peroxidase method. Chemiluminescent immunoassay was used for the measurement of insulin level and homeostasis model assessment-estimated insulin resistance was used for the assessment of insulin resistance. Serum adipokines levels were determined by ELISA. Statistical analysis was performed by using SPSS Software. Results Serum adiponectin levels decreased significantly in obese prediabetes (7.21 +/- 2.15 mu g/ml) when compared to nonobese prediabetes (7.28 +/- 2.41 mu g/ml) and healthy control subjects (13.64 +/- 2.88 mu g/ml, p < 0.001). Serum leptin levels increased significantly in obese prediabetes (13.59 +/- 2.59 ng/ml) when compared to non-obese prediabetes (9.84 +/- 2.66 ng/ml) and healthy control subjects (12.28 +/- 2.65 ng/ml, p < 0.001). Serum resistin levels increased significantly in obese prediabetes (17.67 +/- 3.60 ng/ml) when compared to non-obese prediabetes (17.2 +/- 3.93 ng/ml) and healthy control subjects ( 14.46 +/- 4.16 ng/ml, p < 0.001). Adiponectin-leptin ratio decreased significantly in obese prediabetes (0.56 +/- 0.22) when compared to non-obese prediabetes (0.79 +/- 0.4) and healthy control subjects (1.15 +/- 0.37; p < 0.001). Fasting insulin resistance was statistically significant (p < 0.001) in all groups. Conclusion The present study strongly suggests that the adipokine profile is an ideal diagnostic tool to predict prediabetes and metabolic syndrome, especially among those with insulin resistance.

Automated summary

This study evaluated the levels of adiponectin, leptin, and resistin in prediabetes subjects and found a relationship between these adipokines and insulin resistance. The study results showed that obese prediabetes patients had decreased adiponectin levels, increased leptin and resistin levels, and a decreased adiponectin-leptin ratio. The findings suggest that the adipokine profile can be a useful diagnostic tool for predicting prediabetes and metabolic syndrome in individuals with insulin resistance.