Purpose: There are few studies addressing the association between measured values of visceral fat accumulation (VFA), adiponectin, and colorectal neoplasia. Our purpose is to investigate the association of VFA and serum adiponectin levels with colorectal adenoma and carcinoma patients. For this purpose, 54 patients with colorectal adenoma and carcinoma, diagnosed by colonoscopic evaluation, and 50 healthy control subjects were included. Patients were subjected to measurement of VFA and adiponectin level and calculation of insulin resistance.
Results: Patients with colorectal carcinoma had lower plasma adiponectin levels compared with controls. VFA level did not differ between patients and controls. Adiponectin level was found to be uncorrelated with VFA in the colorectal cancer and adenoma group. No correlation was found between insulin resistance and plasma adiponectin level and VFA.
Conclusion: Our findings suggest that decreased plasma adiponectin level may be a factor involved in the development of colon cancer or a secondary effect of the metabolic derangements in colorectal cancer.