Changes in the Composition of Adiponectin Fractions over a 3-Year Period in Children: A Population-Based Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Little information is available regarding changes in adiponectin fractions. The objective of this study was to examine changes in the composition of differing adiponectin fractions using a population-based, prospective pediatric cohort.

METHODS: A total of 358 fourth graders (9-10 years old) from Ina town in Saitama, Japan, were followed up for 3 years. BMI and total adiponectin (TAD), high-molecular weight adiponectin (HAD), medium-molecular weight adiponectin, and low-molecular weight adiponectin levels were measured in these subjects at baseline and at the end of the follow-up.

RESULTS: Of the fourth graders participating in the study, 326 (172 boys and 154 girls; follow-up rate, 91.1%) became available for follow-up. No significant changes were observed in TAD values after 3 years. HAD values were significantly decreased in both the boys (2.4 to 2.2 μg/mL: p < 0.001) and girls (3.1 to 2.7 μg/mL: p = 0.005). All values in the parameters examined at baseline and after 3 years were significantly correlated. A negative correlation was found between the ratios of follow-up compared to baseline values for BMI and those for TAD (boys, r = -0.322, p < 0.001; girls, r = -0.433, p < 0.001) as well as those for HAD (boys, r = -0.353, p < 0.001; girls, r = -0.351, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS: HAD had the most robust correlation between its values at baseline and those after 3 years in both boys and girls. The changes in HAD also had the most robust correlation between the changes in BMI in 3 years.