Impact of Serum Adiponectin Level on Insulin and hs-CRP in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: A Case-Control Study

Introduction: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is marked by insulin resistance, hyperglycemia, and systemic inflammation. Adiponectin—a hormone produced mainly by adipose tissue—enhances insulin sensitivity and exhibits anti‐inflammatory properties. This study evaluated serum adiponectin and related metabolic markers in Iraqi patients with T2DM versus healthy controls. Methods: In a case-control design, 84 Iraqi subjects were recruited (45 patients with T2DM and 39 controls). Fasting blood samples were obtained to measure adiponectin, insulin, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), fasting serum glucose (FSG), and Homeostatic Model Assessment-Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) using standardized ELISA and biochemical assays. Correlations between adiponectin and anthropometric parameters were also analyzed. Results: Controls showed significantly higher serum adiponectin and insulin levels (p < 0.05) compared to patients with T2DM. In contrast, hs-CRP, FSG, and HOMA-IR were significantly elevated in the diabetic group (p < 0.05). Moreover, adiponectin demonstrated significant negative correlations with both height and weight among controls, with their lower body weight suggesting enhanced fatty acid oxidation. Conclusions: These findings indicate that elevated adiponectin is associated with improved insulin sensitivity and reduced inflammatory markers. The data support the potential role of adiponectin in mitigating insulin resistance, hyperglycemia, and overweight risks in T2DM, warranting further investigation into its therapeutic utility.