Associations between 45T/G polymorphism of the adiponectin gene and plasma adiponectin levels with type 2 diabetes

1. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the association between the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) 45T/G and plasma adiponectin levels and the prevalence of Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in Uygurs of the Xinjiang region, China. 2. We performed a cross-sectional survey in a representative sample of 151 Uygur adults aged 24-80 years. The polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method was used to determine the distribution of allele and genotype frequency of the SNP45 T/G polymorphism (exon 2) in the adiponectin gene. An ELISA was used to determine plasma adiponectin levels. Logistic regression was used to screen risk factors for T2DM. 3. Compared with the normal glucose tolerance (NGT) group, the T2DM group exhibited a higher distribution of the TG + GG genotype, G allele frequency and lower plasma adiponectin concentrations in TG + GG genotype carriers compared with those with the TT genotype. Compared with SNP45 T carriers, in the NGT group, G carriers had higher levels of systolic and diastolic blood pressure, low density lipoprotein (P < 0.05) and total cholesterol (P < 0.005). In the T2DM group, G carriers had lower levels of homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) of insulin sensitivity (P < 0.05) and higher levels of HOMA of insulin resistance (P < 0.05). 4. Adiponectin SNP 45 is positively correlated with the prevalence of T2DM in Uygurs of Xinjiang. The G allele carriers who have reduced plasma concentrations of adiponectin may have associated insulin resistance.