Higher blood aldosterone level in metabolic syndrome is independently related to adiposity and fasting plasma glucose

BACKGROUND Hypoadiponectinemia is a well-known state associated with metabolic syndrome (MetS) and insulin resistance (IR). Recently aldosterone has been highly associated with high blood pressure, and may thus be a possible biomarker for MetS and IR. In this study, we investigate the association of aldosterone with MetS and IR, and compare it with that of adiponectin. METHODS In this cross-sectional study, we recruited 556 women receiving physical examinations at a general hospital in central Taiwan. At the time of examination, we collected data on various demographic and physical characteristics and measured blood levels of aldosterone, adiponectin and a variety of metabolic factors. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed using adiponectin or aldosterone as the dependent variables. RESULTS We found an inverse correlation between blood adiponectin and aldosterone (γ = -0.11, P = 0.009). Adiponectin levels were lower and aldosterone levels higher in women with MetS that those without (8.1 ± 0.4 vs. 11.5 ± 0.2 μg/mL, P < 0.001 and 691 ± 50 vs. 560 ± 11 pmol/L, P = 0.013, respectively), as they were in women with and without IR (adiponectin 10.4 ± 0.5 vs. 11.3 ± 0.2 μg/mL, P = 0.003 and aldosterone 635 ± 31 vs. 560 ± 11 pmol/L, P = 0.022). Although aldosterone was significantly related to body fat %, fasting plasma glucose and serum creatinine levels, the relationship between adiponectin and aldosterone was not obvious after adjustment in the multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION Although aldosterone was related to metabolic factors, including body fat % and fasting plasma glucose in our female subjects, the relationship between aldosterone and adiponectin remains unclear.