Elevated adiponectin but varied response in circulating leptin levels to falciparum malaria in type 2 diabetics and non-diabetic controls

Abstract

Background: To investigate effects of falciparum malaria on circulating levels of leptin and Received 10 January 2015adiponectin in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and non-diabetic controls in relation to measures of adiposity. Methods: Levels of leptin and adiponectin were measured in 100 type 2 diabetics and 100 age-matched controls before and during falciparum malaria in a 2-year prospective study. and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) were computed. T2DMResults: At baseline, diabetics had significantly (p < 0.05) higher WC and BMI but lower LeptinWHR, leptin and adiponectin levels. Baseline leptin correlated positively with WC Adiponectin(r ¼ 0.633; p < 0.001) and BMI (r ¼ 0.63; p < 0.001) in diabetics but only BMI (0.562; p < 0.001) in BMInon-diabetic controls. Baseline leptin and adiponectin correlated positively (r ¼ 0.249; p ¼ 0.029) in non-diabetic respondents only. Adiponectin correlated negatively with WC (r ¼ #0.58; p ¼ 0.006) in diabetic males only. During malaria, mean levels of leptin and adiponectin were comparable (p > 0.05) between diabetics and controls. However, compared to baseline levels, significant (p < 0.001) elevation of adiponectin was found in both study groups. In respect of leptin, significant (p < 0.001) rise but decline was observed in diabetics and controls respectively. Malaria-induced leptin correlated negatively with adiponectin (r ¼ #0.694; p < 0.001) in non-diabetic controls only. Conclusion: Diabetics and controls exhibited increased adiponectin levels due to falciparum malaria but differed in response in terms of leptin levels.