Endocrine Abstracts

Objective: Different methods are used to identify individuals with insulin resistance. The gold standard is the euglycemic-hyperinsulinemic clamp. However, in clinical practice, clamp is not preferred because it is cumbersome, the HOMA-IR index is used more often. The Trigliserid-glucose (TyG) index is a new and practical way to identify individuals with insulin resistance (IR). When compared to HOMA-IR, this index has been shown to be more reliable in determining insulin resistance and more effective to predict common diseases related to IR. In this study, the relationship between TyG index/HOMA-IR and adiponectin were investigated.

Method: A total of 400 individuals, aged 24-50, were included in the study. Two hundred of participants had normal (Group 1) body mass index (BMI) values (18.5-25 kg/m2), while 200 were either overweight or obese (Group 2) (BMI>25 kg/m2). Demographic characteristics of all participants have been recorded. Height, weight and waist circumference were measured; BMI values were calculated. Body fat content was determined by the electrical impedance method. Glucose, insulin, triglyceride, total cholesterol, LDL, HDL and adiponectin were measured.

Results: There was no difference between groups in terms of gender distribution. Group 1 were younger (33.3±6.8 years vs. 36.4±7.0 years, P<0.001). BMI, waist circumference, fat weight, fat ratio, plasma glucose levels, insulin, triglyceride, total cholesterol, LDL, HOMA-IR and TyG index values were higher in group 2 (TyG index; Group 1: 8.25±0.51 vs Group 2: 8.58±0.57). HDL cholesterol and adiponectin concentrations were found to be lower in Group 2. There was a stronger correlation between the TyG index and the adiponectin levels in Group 1, Group 2 and whole cohort compared to the HOMA-IR (Group 1, adiponectin-HOMA-IR, r=-0.19,P=0.006, adiponectin-TyG index, r=-0.37, P<0.001; Group 2, adiponectin-HOMA-IR, r=-0.26, P<0.001, adiponectin-TyG index, r=-0.38, P<0.001; Whole cohort adiponectin-HOMA-IR r=-0.27, P<0.001, adiponectin-TyG index, r=-0.41, P<0.001).

Conclusion: The TyG index is correlated with adiponectin levels better than HOMA-IR. This index could be an easy, practical and powerful method to predict unfavorable adipokine profile.