INSULIN RESISTANCE, SERUM ADIPONECTIN AND ADIPONECTIN GENE POLYMORPHISM IN FIRST-DEGREE RELATIVES OF INDIVIDUALS WITH TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS

Objective: Investigation of insulin resistance, serum adiponectin levels, and adiponectin gene polymorphism in first-degree relatives of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) patients. Material and Methods: A total of 142 individuals (34 males, 108 females) meeting the inclusion criteria for first-degree relatives of T2DM patients were included in the study. A control group consisting of 80 (15 males, 65 females) healthy adults was formed. Blood pressure, waist and hip circumferences were measured for all participants. Fasting glucose and insulin levels, lipid profile, serum adiponectin level, and adiponectin gene polymorphism were analyzed, and an oral glucose tolerance test with 75 grams of glucose was conducted. Insulin resistance was calculated using the HOMA-IR method. Results: HOMA-IR value, total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, and triglyceride levels were significantly higher, while HDL-cholesterol level was significantly lower in first-degree relatives of T2DM patients compared to the control group. Glucose tolerance impairment was more prevalent in the study group. Serum adiponectin levels were significantly lower in the study group. Adiponectin gene polymorphism showed a similarity between the two groups. Conclusion: The higher HOMA-IR and lower serum adiponectin levels detected in first-degree relatives of T2DM patients suggest impairment in metabolic functions in these individuals. However, adiponectin gene polymorphism showed a similarity between the study and control groups. Further extensive studies supported by single gene polymorphism and multi-allele investigations, taking into account environmental factors and lifestyle, are needed to determine the effect of adiponectin gene polymorphism on diabetes development and impaired metabolic functions.