Association between serum levels of adiponectin and polychlorinated biphenyls in Korean men and women

Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are endocrine-disrupting chemicals associated with metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes. In humans, little is known about their potential role on obesity. Adiponectin augments the effects of insulin on glucose homeostasis. The expression of adiponectin is reduced in obesity, insulin resistance, and type 2 diabetes. The aim of this study is to reveal whether accumulation of the POPs, especially polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), is associated with serum levels of adiponectin in Koreans. This cross-sectional study includes 98 Koreans (49 men and 49 women). Serum levels of marker PCBs (PCB 28, 52, 101, 138, 153, and 180) were measured by Agilent 7890GC-micro-ECD (Gas chromatography-micro-electron capture detector). Total adiponectin levels were quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. We defined high (a parts per thousand yenMedian) and low (< Median) body mass index (BMI) groups by using median value of BMI (24.6 kg/m(2) for men; 23.0 kg/m(2) for women). PCB28, PCB138, and PCB153 were significantly negatively associated with adiponectin levels (beta-coefficients = -0.00741 for PCB28; -0.00438 for PCB138; -0.00406 for PCB153). When we divided subjects by sex, PCB28 and PCB153 were inversely associated with adiponectin in women. In the high BMI group (a parts per thousand yenMedian), PCB153 showed the significant negative associations with adiponectin levels (P < 0.05). However, these associations were not seen in the low BMI group. In conclusion, we found negative associations between PCBs and adiponectin. This cross-sectional study could provide support for the hypothesis that POPs exposure might contribute to type 2 diabetes as well as obesity.