Huisman, Hugo WillemKruger, Iolanthé MarikeSchutte, Aletta Elisabeth2012-12-042012-12-042011Kruger, I.M. et al. 2011. The relationship between adiponectin, ageing and renal function in a bi-ethnic sample. Regulatory peptides, 169(1-30:58-63. [http://www.journals.elsevier.com/regulatory-peptides/]0167-01151873-1686 (Online)http://hdl.handle.net/10394/7814http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.regpep.2011.04.003Ageing is associated with elevated adiponectin levels. Our aim was to assess whether age-related increase in adiponectin is associated with a decrease in renal function. The study comprised African (N = 277) and Caucasian (N = 326) men and women. Adiponectin levels, estimated creatinine clearance rate and obesity indices were determined. African men revealed significantly higher adiponectin levels compared to Caucasian men (p < 0.01), reflecting the lower adiposity levels of the African men. No difference in obesity measures (p = 0.92) and adiponectin levels (p = 0.27) was observed between African and Caucasian women. A significant increase in adiponectin levels with ageing was observed in both African men and women (p < 0.01). To the contrary, progressive ageing seems not to be significantly related to elevated adiponectin levels within Caucasians. Renal impairment decreased significantly within all of the groups (p < 0.01). Single regression analyses performed in all specified groups revealed significant associations between adiponectin and estimated creatinine clearance, however a multiple regression model revealed that insulin resistance had the strongest association with adiponectin within all the groups. In conclusion, age-related rise in adiponectin levels observed in Africans may not be due to renal impairment.enAdiponectinrenal functionageingAfricansArticle