Association between Serum Adiponectin and Vitamin D in Obese Pre- and Early Postmenopausal Women: A Cross-Sectional Study.

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to investigate the possible association between vitamin D and adiponectin, a biomarker of insulin resistance, in pre- and early postmenopausal women with obesity.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study included 118 obese women aged 45-55 years (60 premenopausal and 58 postmenopausal women). Anthropometric measurements were obtained. Body fat percentage and visceral fat were assessed using bioelectrical impedance analysis. Serum adiponectin and 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) levels were analyzed using chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay.

RESULTS

Serum adiponectin levels were higher in the postmenopausal group (7.7 ± 3.8 µg/mL) than in the premenopausal group (5.6 ± 3.8 µg/mL) (P = 0.003). Serum 25(OH)D levels were lower in the postmenopausal group (15.4 ± 6.4 ng/mL) than in the premenopausal group (20.2 ± 4.7 ng/mL) (P < 0.001). There was no significant correlation between serum adiponectin and 25(OH)D in either group (r = -0.008, P = 0.949 in the premenopausal group; r = -0.135, P = 0.312 in the postmenopausal group). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that, after controlling for age, waist circumference, and serum vitamin D levels, adiponectin levels increased by an average of 0.208 units for each 1-cm increase in hip circumference.

CONCLUSIONS

Serum vitamin D levels were not correlated with adiponectin levels in obese pre- and early postmenopausal women. Further studies are needed to investigate factors influencing adiponectin and determine whether vitamin D supplementation provides benefits for obese middle-aged women.