Adiponectin levels and its relation with insulin secretion and insulin sensitivity in a group of sub-Saharan African women with polycystic ovary syndrome

Abstract

Objectives Low levels of adiponectin have been reported in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). In sub-Saharan Africa, little data are available on the topic. We aimed to investigate the levels of adiponectin and its relation with insulin secretion and insulin sensitivity in women with PCOS in Yaoundé, Cameroon. A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted in 32 women presenting PCOS and 32 controls matched for age and Body Mass Index. For each participant, adiponectin levels were measured. We estimated insulin sensitivity using Homeostasis model index (HOMA-IR) and insulin secretion with C-peptide levels. Results Women with PCOS had higher insulin secretion levels than controls (C-peptide: 4.98 ± 3.83 vs 3.25 ± 1.62 mUI/l; p = 0.02). Also, the HOMA-IR index was higher compared to that of women without PCOS (1.15 ± 0.90 vs 0.77 ± 0.38; p = 0.03) suggesting greater insulin resistance. The median [25th–75th percentile] values of adiponectin concentrations were similar between the two groups (22.68 [21.72–23.41] μg/ml vs 22.03 [21.40–22.93] μg/ml; p = 0.1). There was no association between insulin sensitivity and adiponectin levels in the PCOS group. PCOS is not associated with changes in adiponectin in a population of sub-Saharan African women. Further studies are needed to shed more light on this condition.

Body Composition Parameters, Adiponectin, Leptin and Adiponectin/Leptin Ratio are Correlated with LH/FSH Ratio in Women with PCOS but not in Women without PCOS

“…Similar observations were also demonstrated. 14,15 Previous studies demonstrated that adiponectin receptors, Adipor1 and Adipor2, were found on pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) and neuropeptide Y (NPY) neurons in the arcuate nucleus 41 in addition to being discovered in the anterior pituitary. 42 These outcomes suggest a role for adiponectin in energy homeostasis.…”

“…Previous studies have shown a reduction in adiponectin levels in PCOS women with insulin resistance and obesity. 10,[13][14][15] Furthermore, the adiponectin/ leptin ratio is considered a potent indicator of insulin resistance and has the potential to be used as a marker of PCOS. 10 The association between adipokines and neuroendocrine disorders in PCOS has also been studied previously.…”

Serum adiponectin in women with polycystic ovary syndrome

“…Several studies also found an insignificant association between serum adiponectin and different metabolic features. 18,19,24,28 However, contradictory findings were observed by others. 21,25 Several studies showed that high molecular adiponectin rather than total adiponectin is associated with PCOS and its features.…”

“…Our finding is similar to some studies' observations. [18][19][20] However, systematic reviews and meta-analyses showed lower adiponectin levels irrespective of obesity status in women with PCOS. 21,22 We also found a higher percentage of hypoadiponectinemia(17.5%) in the PCOS group than in the control group but again with an insignificant association.…”