Adiponectin levels, the anti-inflammatory adipocytokine is reduced in hypertension and related to arterial stiffness¹. The adiponectin −276G>T polymorphism is associated with type 2 diabetes and insulin resistance. However, whether this polymorphism contributes to arterial stiffness is not known.

We measured pulse wave velocity (PWV) and index (AIx) in untreated hypertensive patients (n = 221, 109 Female). G>276T polymorphism was determined by RFLP. Fasting plasma insulin and adiponectin concentrations were determined using ELISA. Fasting lipids and glucose were measured by standard methods and insulin resistance estimated using HOMA index. Results expressed as Mean ± SEM, p<0.05 considered significant.

The genotypes frequencies were G/G 53%, G/T 37%, and T/T 10%. Adiponectin levels were significantly reduced and associated with insulin resistance in patients with GG genotype. Patients with GG genotype had significantly higher systolic blood pressure (BP) (p = 0.01) and pulse pressure (p = 0.008) with no difference in diastolic BP. The aortic PWV was significantly higher (p = 0.004) in patients with GG genotype compared with T allele carriers. In a stepwise regression model, the −276G>T polymorphism was an independent determinant of PWV, in addition to age and BP and explained 46% of the variability in PWV. However, there was no difference in AIx between the two genotypes. The −276G>T genotype is associated with aortic stiffness and high BP as well as insulin resistance syndrome and may guide anti-hypertensive therapy in the future.