Introduction Adiponectin, the major adipocyte secretary protein, improves insulin sensitivity and possesses anti-inflammatory and anti atherosclerotic properties. In the present study, we investigated the association of adiponectin gene (APM1) +45T>G (rs2241766) and +276G>T (rs1501299) polymorphisms with serum adiponectin levels and metabolic parameters of the insulin resistance syndrome, in northern Indian population.

Methods A case control study was conducted with 642 subjects (309 obese subjects (BMI≥30) and 333 non-obese (BMI<30) subjects) to examine the association of adiponectin gene (APM1) polymorphisms with serum adiponectin levels and other metabolic parameters in northern Indian population. All subjects were genotyped through PCR-RFLP. Insulin, leptin, lipid profile and glucose levels were estimated using standard protocols.

Results The variant G-allele of SNP +45T>G and T-allele of SNP +276G>T were associated with significantly higher serum adiponectin levels (p=0.0001 and p=0.0001, respectively). The most frequent haplotype TG defined by both loci showed a strong association with lower serum adiponectin concentrations, higher levels of insulin, and HOMA-IR index.

Conclusion We observed a strong association of the APM1 45–276 genotypes and TG (rs2241766, rs1501299) haplotypes with adiponectin levels in healthy northern Indians. The TG haplotype associated with higher levels of insulin, HOMA-IR index, and lower serum adiponectin concentrations.