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Alcohol intake not linked to changes in total adiponectin over time
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A cross-sectional association exists between average weekly alcohol consumption and higher levels of adiponectin, but alcohol intake does not appear to be linked to changes in total circulating adiponectin concentrations over time, according to recent findings.
In the prospective cohort study, Steven Bell, PhD, and Annie Britton, PhD, both of the University College London, evaluated a diabetes case-cohort sample of 2,855 participants from the Whitehall II study, which included 10,308 British civil servants aged 35 to 55 years. The data in the present study were from phases 3 (1991-1993), 5 (1997-1999) and 7 (2002-2004).
The study participants all drank alcohol at some point during follow-up. The mean baseline patient age was 50 years, and 74% of the participants were men.
Participants chronicled their weekly intake of alcoholic drinks, separately quantifying their consumption of beer (pints), wine (glasses) and spirits (measures). These measurements were converted into units of alcohol, with one alcohol unit equaling 8 g of ethanol. The researchers measured participants’ fasting blood adiponectin levels before a standard 2-hour oral glucose tolerance test.
The researchers used linear regression to calculate the cross-sectional correlations between alcohol and adiponectin levels, and a bivariate dual change score model was utilized to approximate the relationship between alcohol intake on future changes in adiponectin. These models were adjusted for age, gender, ethnicity and smoking status.
The researchers found a cross-sectional relationship (log-transformed) between alcohol intake and adiponectin levels (beta level ranging from 0.001-0.004, depending on study phase and adjustment level, with the phase 3 fully adjusted failing to meet the criteria for statistical significance).
However, alcohol intake did not have a significant effect on upcoming changes in adiponectin in either model.
“We found that average weekly alcohol intake is associated with higher levels of adiponectin cross-sectionally but is not associated with changes in total adiponectin levels over time,” the researchers wrote. “Future work should examine the role of drinking pattern in the association between alcohol intake and adiponectin, as well as different forms of adiponectin.” – by Jennifer Byrne
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.
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