Relationship between adiponectin and β-cell function and insulin resistance in female patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

Objective To investigate adiponectin level in female patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) , and to explore the relationship between adiponectin and ?-cell function and insulin resistance.Methods The investigation used case control study.Nine patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and seven control subjects (C) were analyzed for ?-cell function and insulin resistance by hyperglycemic clamp.Serum adiponectin was assayed by ELISA.Subcutaneous adipose areas (SA) , visceral adipose areas (VA) , liver inphase (IP) and outphase (OP) were measured by MRI.Results The result showed the levels of fasting insulin (FINS) , first phase insulin release (1Ph) , glucose disposal rates (M) , insulin sensitivity index (ISI) , and adiponectin were significantly lower in NAFLD than those in C group (P<0.05) .Spearman correlation analysis showed adiponectin was positively associated with M (r=0.526, P=0.036) , ISI (r=0.682, P=0.005) , 1Ph (r=0.676, P=0.003) , liver OP (r=0.682, P=0.004) and OP/IP (r=0.594, P=0.015) .Conclusion The result suggested that adiponectin level was decreased in female patients with NAFLD.Hypoadiponectinemia may be associated with insulin resistance and early beta-cell dysfunction in NAFLD.