To evaluate the relationship between serum
adiponectin ADP (
sADP) levels and the risk of
metabolic syndrome (MS) and
cardiovascular disease (CVD) in patients with DISH and to assess the relationship between
sADP levels, and the tendency for new bone formation in these patients.
sADP levels were measured in DISH and non-DISH (NDISH) patients.
sADP levels were compared between the two groups and were also correlated with weight circumference, BMI, serum
lipid profile, concomitant diseases, use of medications, the presence of MS, the risk of developing CVD, and the extent of bony bridges. Eighty-seven patients with DISH and 65 in NDISH were examined. A negative significant correlation between
sADP and
insulin resistance, and serum
insulin levels in the DISH group (r = - 0.375, p = 0.0004; r = -0.386, p = 0.0002, respectively) was observed.
sADP levels positively correlated with serum
cholesterol and
LDL levels in the DISH group. Higher
sADP levels positively correlated with the extent of bony bridges (r = 0.245, p = 0.02). It appears that at least in patients with DISH,
sADP has an osteogenic effect. Increasing
sADP levels might reduce
insulin resistance and
hyperinsulinemia and reduce the CV risk and the osteogenic effect exerted by
insulin. However, increasing
sADP levels might directly increase new bone formation aggravating the already enhanced osteogenesis. Studies of larger populations with earlier disease might shed light on the enigmatic role played by
ADP in patients with DISH and the eventual effect of manipulating its levels.