Comparative assessment of adiponectin and insulin resistance markers in obese and non-obese individuals in Owerri, Southeastern, Nigeria

Daniel Onyedikachi Dike 1, *, Jude Anaelechi Onuegbu 1, Chudi Emmanuel Dioka 1, Japhet Madu Olisekodiaka 1, Onyinyechi Ogechi Bede-Ojimadu 2, Chidiadi MaryAnn Njoku 1, Mabel A. Charles-Davis 3 and Emmanuel O Akhaumere 4

1 Department of Chemical Pathology, Faculty of Basic Clinical Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria.
2 Department of Medical Laboratory Science, School of Allied Health Sciences, Kampala International University, Uganda.
3 Department of Chemical Pathology, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Nigeria.
4 Department of Chemical Pathology, National Hospital, Abuja, Nigeria.
 
Research Article
GSC Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2024, 29(01), 166–174.
Article DOI: 10.30574/gscbps.2024.29.1.0379
Publication history: 
Received on 05 September 2024; revised on 13 October 2024; accepted on 15 October 2024
 
Abstract: 
Background: The overwhelming rise in obesity is a disturbing public health concern in Nigeria. The superimposition of westernized diet on the existing high glycaemic traditional diet in the population is worrisome. In obese, adipose tissue dysfunction is characterized with dysregulations of adipokines (including adiponectin) and insulin resistance. Owerri, the capital of Imo State, Nigeria and slogan-labelled “entertainment capital of Nigeria” is highly an obesogenic environment with traditional perception of obesity as a mark of wellness and prosperity. The dearth of data on adiponectin and insulin resistance markers in this population is the spur for this research.
Aim: To evaluate the variations in adiponectin and insulin resistance markers in the obese and non-obese Nigerians.
Methods: A total of 140 individuals (70 obese and 70 non obese) aged between 25 and 60 years participated in this study. Fasting plasma glucose (FPG), insulin and adiponectin were analyzed using standard laboratory techniques and insulin resistance indices (HOMA-IR and HOMA-AD) were mathematically determined.
Results: Obese subjects had significantly lower adiponectin (p<0.05) but higher FPG (p<0.05) and insulin (p<0.05). Also, significant higher values of HOMA-IR (p<0.05) and HOMA-AD (p<0.05) were observed. Strong inverse associations were found between adiponectin and HOMA-AD (r = -0.699, p<0.01) and BMI correlated positively with all insulin resistance markers {(r = 0.266, p<0.05), HOMA-IR (r = 0.298, p<0.05) and HOMA-AD (r = 0.392, p<0.05)}.
Conclusion: The findings of this study shows that the obese individuals may be at risk of future obesity related metabolic complications.
 
Keywords: 
Obesity; Adiponectin; Insulin Resistance; Nigeria
 
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