Plasma adiponectin levels are correlated with body composition, metabolic profiles and mitochondrial markers in individuals with chronic spinal cord injury

Spinal Cord, 2018 · DOI: 10.1038/s41393-018-0089-8 · Published: September 1, 2018

Simple Explanation

This study explores the connection between adiponectin, a hormone, and various health markers in people with long-term spinal cord injuries. It looks at how adiponectin relates to body composition (fat and muscle), metabolism (how the body uses energy), and the activity of mitochondria (energy-producing parts of cells). The findings suggest that adiponectin is linked to body composition and metabolic health in individuals with SCI, potentially by influencing mitochondrial function.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

Nineteen individuals with chronic spinal cord injury (SCI)

Evidence Level

Cross-sectional design

Key Findings

1
Adiponectin was negatively related to both total and regional fat mass and positively related to lean mass and muscle mass.
2
There were positive relationships between adiponectin and BMR and VO2.
3
Adiponectin was positively related to citrate synthase and complex III activity.

Research Summary

The study demonstrated that adiponectin is closely related to body composition and metabolic profile in persons with SCI The links between adiponectin levels and the size of paralyzed muscle suggest previously unknown effects of this hormone on muscle homeostasis. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that adiponectin stimulates mitochondrial biogenesis through PGC-1α.

Practical Implications

Targeted Interventions

Findings may recommend potential pathways that are likely to be used as a countermeasure to resolve this expensive and time-consuming problems, recommending pathways that are likely to be target in future pharmaceutical or rehabilitation intervention are of paramount significance to this clinical population.

Muscle Hypertrophy

Exercise induced muscle hypertrophy may be a potent stimulus that is associated with increase of circulating plasma adiponectin. The circulating adiponectin will be associated with downstream stimulation of PGC-1 alpha that will lead to increase in body mitochondrial biogenesis and subsequent increase in BMR.

Clinical Relevance

The current findings have significant clinical relevance to persons with SCI. Prevalence of obesity, impaired glucose tolerance, insulin resistance and are at a heightened and alarming rate after SCI.

Study Limitations

1
A major limitation of the current study is that only total adiponectin was measured.
2
The small sample size and inclusion of only men may limit the generalization of the current findings.
3
In the current study, we did not have a matched control group.

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