Background: Adiponectin is an adipose tissue-derived hormone that low levels of this hormone are associated with obesity, insulin resistance, and type 2 diabetes. The aim of this study was to compare the serum levels of adiponectin in diabetic and non-diabetic obese individuals.

Methods: As a cross-sectional study 35 obese individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus and 35 non-diabetic obese subjects were enrolled. Two groups were matched for age, gender and body mass index. Fasting lipid profile was measured via the enzymatic methods. The NycoCard HbA1c Kit was used to measure HbA1c.The Serum Adiponectin, insulin and glucose levels were measured via an enzyme immunoassay, using a commercially available kit and glucose oxidase methods, respectively. The HOMA and QUICKI indices were used to determine insulin resistance and insulin sensitivity, respectively.

Results: The mean of insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR), HbA1c, diastolic blood pressure, triglyceride and fasting glucose in diabetes were significantly higher than non-diabetics (P<0.05). The serum Adiponectin levels was significantly lower in diabetes than non-diabetics (15.74±6.70 vs. 21.52 ± 9.35) and was significantly higher in women than men (19.38 ± 7.33 vs. 12.68 ± 4.28) among diabetic and (24.63 ± 10.52 vs. 17.83 ± 6.21) among non-diabetics groups.

Conclusion: type 2 diabetes mellitus is associated with low serum adiponectin concentrations and probably adiponectin involved in the pathophysiology linking obesity to type 2 diabetes.