Effects of acute hyperinsulinaemia on total and high-molecular-weight adiponectin concentration in metabolically healthy but obese postmenopausal women: A Montreal-Ottawa New Emerging Team (MONET) study

Aim. The aim of this study was to determine the differences and changes in total and high-molecular-weight (HMW) adiponectin levels among metabolically healthy but obese (MHO) postmenopausal women in response to acute hyperinsulinaemia. Method. In this cross-sectional study, 55 non-diabetic overweight and obese postmenopausal women underwent a hyperinsulinaemic-euglycaemic clamp test to evaluate insulin sensitivity. Subjects within the upper tertile of insulin sensitivity were described as 'MHO' (n = 18), whereas those within the lowest tertile were considered 'at risk' (n=18). Plasma total and HMW adiponectin levels were measured by ELISA at 0 (baseline), 90, 160 and 180 min during the clamp. Results. At baseline and at all time points during the clamp, MHO individuals had significantly higher total and HMW adiponectin levels than at-risk subjects (AUC: total adiponectin = 2506 +/- 1010 vs 1616 +/- 830; HMW adiponectin = 909 +/- 307 vs 604 +/- 349; P<0.05). In addition, a significant reduction in total adiponectin was observed at 160 min and 180 min in at-risk and MHO subjects, respectively, while HMW adiponectin significantly decreased at 160 min in at-risk subjects, and at 90 min as well as 160 min in MHO women. Conclusion. MHO postmenopausal women had higher levels of plasma total and HMW adiponectin than at-risk subjects at baseline and during the clamp. Furthermore, significant decreases in total and HMW adiponectin were observed at certain time points in both the MHO and at-risk subjects. (C) 2010 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.