Adiponectin/blood* ; Adult ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Body Mass Index ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Environmental Pollutants/blood* ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polychlorinated Biphenyls/blood* ; Republic of Korea/epidemiology
Keywords
Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) ; Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) ; Adiponectin ; Insulin ; Body mass index
Abstract
Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are endocrine-disrupting chemicals associated with metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes. In humans, little is known about their potential role on obesity. Adiponectin augments the effects of insulin on glucose homeostasis. The expression of adiponectin is reduced in obesity, insulin resistance, and type 2 diabetes. The aim of this study is to reveal whether accumulation of the POPs, especially polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), is associated with serum levels of adiponectin in Koreans. This cross-sectional study includes 98 Koreans (49 men and 49 women). Serum levels of marker PCBs (PCB 28, 52, 101, 138, 153, and 180) were measured by Agilent 7890GC-micro-ECD (Gas chromatography-micro-electron capture detector). Total adiponectin levels were quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. We defined high (≥Median) and low (