Effects of adiponectin on glucose and lipid metabolism in port harcourt residents

Purpose: The study determined the effects of adiponectin on glucose and lipid metabolism in Port Harcourt residents, Rivers State, Nigeria. Methodology: The study was conducted in the Medical Outpatient Clinic and Chemical Pathology Department of the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH), among 384 individuals who presented with metabolic disorders or for routine medical screening, using a sample size of 50% prevalence for insulinemia and employing the formula; N= Z2pq/d2. 5ml of venous blood was taken from the median cubital vein into an EDTA bottle for the laboratory analysis, while data analysis was done using SPSS version 22 and the results presented in tables as frequencies and percentages. Results: The socio-demographic characteristics was mostly 31-40 years, 273(82.0%) old, mainly females, 204(61.3%), mostly married, 182(54.7%), Christians, 333(100.0%) and had secondary education, 166(49.8%). Triglyceride level was mostly normal, 309(92.8%), HDLc was mostly low, 177(53.2%), LDLc was mostly good, 326(97.9%) and total cholesterol was mainly high, 322(96.7%). Fasting Blood Sugar was mostly normal, 197(59.2%) and high, 134(40.2%), Body Mass Index was mostly normal, 232(69.7%), Blood Pressure was mostly normal and high (138(41.4%) and 104(31.2%), and adiponectin level was mostly normal, 286(85/9%). The association between adiponectin and plasma lipids was not statistically significant for all the lipids (triglycerides, HDLc, LDLc and total cholesterol) at 0.780, 0.616, 0.556 and 0.172 respectively, while the relationship between adiponectin and glucose metabolism shows that BMI was not statistically significant, 0.129, but FBS was weakly significant, 0.069. Similarly, there is a strong correlation between adiponectin and nutrients like glucose and lipids. Unique Contribution to Theory and Practice: It is important to undertake routine medical checks, as certain deviations in nutrient metabolism may not manifest immediately, but transient changes can be revealed by routine investigation and early interventions initiated to either remedy or avert occurrence.