LAUSR

BACKGROUND Obesity is a modifiable risk factor for hypertension and T2D. Objective(s): We examined relations between fasting plasma adiponectin (ADIP), C-reactive protein (CRP) concentrations and markers of T2D in African Americans (AA). METHODS Fasting plasma ADIP, CRP, Insulin (IN), HOMA-IR, lipid profiles, body fat percent (%BF), waist circumference (WC), body mass index (BMI) and blood pressure measures were determined in AA women (W: n=77) and men (M: n=34). Participants were classified into: 1) Normal fasting glucose (FG) and Normal %BF; 2) Normal FG and High %BF; and 3) High FG. RESULTS Compared to men, women had significantly higher mean ADIP (W: 31.4±2.9 vs. M: 18.0±4.4 ng/L), CRP (W: 3.2±0.3 vs. M: 2.0±0.5 mg/L), %BF (W: 41.2±0.9 vs. M: 27.2±1.3), and BMI (W: 32.3±0.7 vs. M: 29.2±1.1 kg/m2). Women with normal FG and %BF had significantly higher ADIP (64.0±6.0) and lower CRP (1.3±0.6) concentrations than normal FG/ high %BF (ADIP: 37.0±5.0 and CRP: 3.1 ±0.5) and high FG (ADIP: 15.1±4.1 and CRP: 4.0 ± 0.5) groups. Women with high ADIP to CRP ratio had favorable metabolic and anthropometric profiles. CONCLUSION Low ADIP and high CRP are associated with excessive %BF and FG in AA women. ADIP/CRP, may be useful for detecting metabolic dysregulation.