Background: Previous studies identified that a low adiponectin level plays a significant role in the development of metabolic syndrome (MetS). The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between adiponectin and MetS and its components in apparently healthy Koreans.
Methods: We performed a cross-sectional study in a sample of Koreans aged 30~59 years, including 256 men and 340 women. Study subjects were recruited by advertisement in Bundang and all had unremarkable medical histories. MetS was defined according to the 2009 Joint Interim Statement criteria. Serum adiponectin concen-trations were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).
Results: The mean ages of study subjects were 43.4 ± 8.1 for men and 44.3 ± 8.1 for women. Both men and women with MetS had significantly lower adiponectin levels and significantly higher HOMA-IR scores. The odds ratios (OR) for MetS in men and women with adiponectin levels in the lowest tertile were 3.56 (95% CI 1.83~6.91) and 6.38 (95% CI 2.35~17.3) compared with highest tertial, respectively. There was also a significant linear decrease with increasing tertiles of adiponectin levels in both men and women. This association between adiponectin and MetS was still significant after adjustment for age, BMI, and log HOMA-IR score in men. However, in women, this association disappeared after full adjustment (age, BMI, log HOMA-IR score).
Conclusion: Adipo-nectin levels are independently associated with MetS and its components in apparently healthy Koreans. The relationship between low adiponectin levels and MetS was independent of insulin resistance in men, but not women.

Keywords: Metabolic syndrome, Low adiponectin level, Insulin resistance

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