Association between Circulating Adiponectin and Heart Rate Recovery in Women with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome.

CONTEXT: Adiponectin (APN) is reported to be correlated closely with autonomic nervous function in different clinical settings. Heart rate recovery (HRR) is a noninvasive and readily obtainable indicator, which reflects the coordinated interplay between parasympathetic reactivation and sympathetic withdrawal.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between serum APN and HRR in polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) women.

DESIGN: Eighty-nine PCOS women were enrolled and divided into two groups. Women with HRR values slower than 12 beats were defined as Blunted HRR Group. APN levels were compared between Blunted HRR Group and Normal HRR Group. Multivariate logistic regression analysis and multiple linear regression analysis were performed to determine which clinical variables were independently associated with HRR and APN levels, respectively.

RESULTS: Twenty-three women were categorized into Blunted HRR Group, in which APN level was significantly lower than Normal HRR Group. Age, body mass index, hypertension, and APN were independent factors of attenuated HRR in PCOS women. Meanwhile, multiple linear regression analysis showed age, dyslipidemia, and homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) were closely associated with APN levels in PCOS women.

CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggested that decreased APN concentration was closely associated with HRR blunt in PCOS women. Further studies are needed to explore the underlying interactions between APN and autonomic nervous function.