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Adiponectin Levels and Genotype: A Potential Regulator of Life Span in Humans

¹ Institute for Aging Research, Diabetes Research and Training Center Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York.
² University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore.
Departments of ³ Family and Social Medicine, ⁴ Cell Biology, ⁵ Pediatrics, and ⁶ Neurology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York.
⁷ Geriatrics Research and Education Clinical Center, Veterans Administration Medical Center, Baltimore.

Address correspondence to Nir Barzilai, MD, Institute for Aging Research, Belfer Bldg. #701, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Avenue, Bronx, NY 10461. E-mail: barzilai{at}aecom.yu.edu

Although caloric restriction in numerous models extends life, longevity in humans is suggested to be limited by the increased prevalence of obesity. Adiponectin, a fat-derived peptide, has a protective role against age-related disease, and thus is an excellent candidate gene for longevity. We studied adiponectin levels in centenarians (n = 118), their offspring (n = 228), and unrelated participants <95 (n = 78). Adiponectin levels were significantly greater in participants older than 95 years (p =.01), an effect that was independent of sex and body mass index (BMI). Adiponectin levels in the offspring were higher (following adjustment for age, sex, and BMI) compared to controls (p =.02), suggesting that inherited factors play a role in determining adiponectin levels. Over-representation of two common variants in Adiponectin gene (ADIPOQ) in male long-lived individuals combined with their independent association with elevated plasma adiponectin levels (in men and women) suggests that their presence may promote increased life span through the regulation of adiponectin production and/or secretion.

Key Words: Adiponectin • Genetics • Longevity • Metabolic syndrome • Cardiovascular disease