Relationship between the serum uric acid level, visceral fat accumulation and serum adiponectin concentration in Japanese men.

OBJECTIVE: Visceral fat accumulation is an underlying component of the metabolic syndrome (MetS). Hypoadiponectinemia is one of the key molecules of the MetS. In the present study, we investigated the relationship between the serum uric acid level, visceral fat accumulation and serum adiponectin concentration in Japanese men. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study group comprised 1,520 Japanese employed men (mean age: 45.6+/-10.4 years, +/- SD), who had undergone an annual health check-up both in 2004 and 2005. In addition to parameters measured in the annual health check-up, visceral fat area (VFA) and serum adiponectin concentration were measured by the bioelectrical impedance analysis method and a sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) system, respectively.
RESULTS: Visceral fat accumulation was identified in 56.1% of the subjects with hyperuricemia. There was significant positive correlation between visceral fat area and serum uric acid levels (r=0.223, p<0.0001), and negative correlation between serum adiponectin concentration and serum uric acid levels (r=-0.198, p<0.0001). The one-year change in VFA was associated with the one-year change in serum uric acid levels. Stepwise multiple regression analysis showed that VFA and the serum adiponectin concentration were significant explanatory variables for serum uric acid levels.
CONCLUSION: Hyperuricemia is significantly associated with visceral fat accumulation and hypoadiponectinemia in Japanese men.