Do Children with Type 1 Diabetes have a Relation Between Adiponectin Level and Vascular Complications?

Background Adiponectin has anti-inflammatory, anti-atherogenic, insulin sensitizing, and cardioprotective roles. Adiponectin level is elevated, in type 1 diabetes. Its low levels inversely predict the incidence of coronary artery disease. The purpose of thiS study is to assess the relation between adiponectin and microvascular complications, cardiovascular risk factors and carotid intima media thickness (CIMT) in children and adolescents with type 1diabetes. Methods Serum adiponectin level was determined in forty diabetics and twelve healthy children. Patients were evaluated far the presence of microvascular complications and cardiovascular risk factors including body mass index, blood pressure, and fasting lipids. CIMT was measured as an indicator of subclinical atherosclerosis. Results The mean (SD) age of the patients was 13.35 (2.83) years, range (7-17.41years). The mean (SD) diabetes duration was 6.14 (3.59) years. Adiponectin, triglycerides, and CIMT were higher in patients. Adiponectin correlated positively with microalbuminuria and was higher in patients with peripheral neuropathy. No correlation existed between adiponectin and CIMT or cardiovascular risk factors. Multivariate analysis showed that triglycerides was the strongest variable affecting CIMT followed by duration of diabetes, HbA1C, and the least effect was that of body mass index. Conclusion High adiponectin correlate with the presence of microvascular disease but does not offer protection against cardiovascular disease in children with type 1diabetes. The cardiovascular risk is more strongly related to cardiovascular risk factors and glycaemic control.