Vnitr Lek 2006, 52(10):887-890

The role of adiponectin in increased insulin sensitivity of patients with anorexia nervosa

I. Dostálová^1,2,*, K. Smitka¹, H. Papežová³, H. Kvasničková¹, J. Nedvídková¹

¹ Endokrinologický ústav, Praha, ředitel doc. MUDr. Vojtěch Hainer, CSc.

² Katedra fyziologie živočichů a vývojové biologie Přírodovědecké fakulty UK, Praha, vedoucí katedry doc. RNDr. Petr Folk, CSc.

³ Psychiatrická klinika 1. lékařské fakulty UK a VFN, Praha, přednosta prof. MUDr. Jiří Raboch, DrSc.

The aim of the present study was to determine the relationship between plasma levels of adipocytokine adiponectin and the degree of insulin sensitivity in patients with anorexia nervosa (AN). AN is a psychiatric disorder characterized mainly by severe malnutrition and loss of body fat. We measured fasting plasma adiponectin, insulin and glucose levels in ten women with a restrictive type of AN and in twelve healthy normal-weight women. Plasma adiponectin levels were significantly increased in patients with AN compared to healthy women (p < 0.01) and were negatively related to body mass index and percent body fat in both groups. Plasma adiponectin levels were negatively related to plasma insulin levels in the AN group only. Using homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), we found significantly increased insulin sensitivity in patients with AN compared to control women (p < 0.05). In conclusion, hyperadiponectinemia in patients with AN might contribute to increased insulin sensitivity in these patients.

Keywords: anorexia nervosa; adiponectin; insulin; insulin sensitivity

Received: August 14, 2006; Published: October 1, 2006  Show citation