Adiponectin may be a biomarker of early atherosclerosis of smokers and decreased by nicotine through KATP channel in adipocytes.

OBJECTIVE

Plasm adiponectin is decreased in smokers. Adiponectin is emerging as a potential key molecular marker in atherosclerosis and other cardiovascular diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between serum adiponectin levels and early atherosclerosis in smokers. Furthermore, the role of the KATP channel in the down-regulation of adiponectin by smoking was preliminarily explored.

METHODS

We consecutively enrolled 96 men, including 50 smokers with atherosclerosis and 46 nonsmokers. Serum adiponectin was detected with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay - in all participants. Large (C1) and small (C2) artery elasticity indices and carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) were measured as evaluation indexes of early atherosclerosis in smokers. Finally, the effect of nicotine via ATP-dependent potassium (KATP) channels on adiponectin secretion by 3T3-L1 preadipocytes was examined in vitro.

RESULTS

Adiponectin levels of smokers were statistically negatively correlated to IMT (r = -.440; P < 0.001) and positively correlated to C1 (r = 0.448; P < 0.001) as well as C2 (r = 0.426; P = 0.002). In 3-T3-L1 preadipocytes, nicotine treatment significantly decreased adiponectin levels (P = 0.003), whereas the adiponectin level was rescued by the inhibition of KATP channel (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Serum adiponectin level was an independent predictor of early atherosclerosis in smokers. Nicotine might decrease adiponectin in part through altering KATP channels in adipocytes.