Early Effects of Smoking Cessation and Weight Gain on Plasma Adiponectin Levels and Insulin Resistance

Abstract

Background Tobacco smoking is a major risk factor for atherosclerotic and cardiovascular disease. Studies have found evidence that smoking cessation is associated with weight gain, which is itself a leading cause of cardiovascular disease. Aim The present study sought to determine how smoking cessation and associated weight gain affect adiponectin levels and insulin resistance. Methods Fifty-two male habitual smokers were treated for 2 months with transdermal nicotine patches, and the 28 subjects who successfully quit smoking were analyzed. Subjects were divided into two sub-groups according to their weight change: weight maintainers and weight gainers. Serum adiponectin levels and the homeostasis model assessment ratio (HOMA-R) were evaluated at the beginning of the study, and at 1 week and 9 weeks after cessation of patch use. Results In weight gainers (n=18), serum adiponection levels tended to increase at 1 week after the end of treatment (mean difference 0.4±1.0 μg/mL, p=0.08). Moreover, after 9 weeks, adiponectin levels were significantly decreased in weight gainers (mean difference between 1 week and 9 weeks 0.8±0.9 μg/mL, p=0.002). In weight maintainers, adiponectin levels increased slightly after smoking cessation, but changes were not significant. In weight gainers, HOMA-R index was significantly increased (mean difference between baseline and 9 weeks 0.4±0.7, p=0.01), while in weight maintainers, HOMA-R index showed no differences throughout the study. Conclusion Our findings suggest that the adverse effects of weight gain attenuate some of the beneficial effects of smoking cessation.

Metabolic effects of smoking cessation

“…However, no significant changes in adiponectin levels or HOMA index were found in the weight-maintaining group. Overall, the results of this study showed that post-cessation weight gain is associated with decreased adiponectin levels and increased risk of the metabolic syndrome 91 .…”

“…An inverse association exists between levels of adiponectin and an increased risk of developing the metabolic syndrome 90 . In a study of 28 male smokers who successfully abstained from smoking for 2 months with the aid of transdermal nicotine treatment, individuals were divided into two groups: weight maintainers ( n = 10) and weight gainers ( n = 18) 91 . In the weight-gaining group, serum levels of adiponectin increased 1 week after initiation of transdermal nicotine therapy; at 9 weeks, levels of adiponectin were markedly decreased.…”

High prevalence of coexisting prehypertension and prediabetes among healthy adults in northern and northeastern China

“…Interestingly, we also found that there was higher prevalence of ex-smokers than current smokers in the co-PreHTN and PreDM group. This observation can be explained by the findings of Inoue K [21], who suggested that the adverse effects associated with the weight gain following cessation of smoking outweigh the benefits. Weight gain is a strong risk factor for CVD, which is also closely associated with a substantial risk for impaired glucose regulation and elevated BP [22].…”

Lower total and percent of high-molecular-weight adiponectin concentration in South Asian kidney transplant recipients

“…The lack of a difference in apolipoprotein A1 and B and cystatin C with ethnicity indicates that adiponectin holds the greatest promise as a biomarker of cardiovascular risk post-transplantation in select transplant subpopulations. Although smoking cessation increases adiponectin [34], this effect may depend on weight change and there were too few SA smokers in our cohort to examine its effect. Our study was limited by sample size in determining the relationship of adiponectin and prior MACE burden.…”