Evaluation of adiponectin level and metabolic parameters in patients with mild autonomous cortisol secretion and non-functional adrenal adenomas

Tugba Barlas; Meric Coskun; Altıntop Sabri Engin; Yalcin Mehmet Muhittin; Cerit Ethem Turgay; Altinova Alev Eroglu; Mujde Akturk; Ayhan Karakoc; Fusun Toruner

doi:10.1530/endoabs.110.EP21

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Endocrine Abstracts (2025) 110 EP21 | DOI: 10.1530/endoabs.110.EP21

ECEESPE2025 ePoster Presentations Adrenal and Cardiovascular Endocrinology (170 abstracts)

Evaluation of adiponectin level and metabolic parameters in patients with mild autonomous cortisol secretion and non-functional adrenal adenomas

Tugba Barlas ¹ , Meric Coskun ¹ , Sabri Engin Altıntop ¹ , Mehmet Muhittin Yalcin ¹ , Ethem Turgay Cerit ¹ , Alev Eroglu Altinova ¹ , Mujde Akturk ¹ , Ayhan Karakoc ¹ & Fusun Toruner ¹

Author affiliations

¹Gazi University, Faculty of Medicine, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Ankara, Türkiye

JOINT2068

Objective: Various metabolic adverse effects have been identified in patients with mild autonomous cortisol secretion (MACS) and even in those with non-functional adrenal adenomas (NFAA). In this study, we aimed to assess adiponectin levels and metabolic syndrome (MetS), as well as investigate the potential impact of low-grade hypercortisolism in patients with MACS and NFAA.

Method: A total of 72 patients, comprising 48 with MACS and 24 with NFAA, were included in a 2:1 ratio, with similar age, sex, and body mass index (BMI). Serum adiponectin levels of the patients were measured. MetS was diagnosed based on the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel (NCEP-ATP III) criteria. The cardiometabolic index (CMI) was calculated as the ratio of triglycerides (TG) to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), multiplied by the waist-to-height ratio (WHtR). The Triglyceride-Glucose (TyG) index was calculated using the formula: ln [(Fasting TG (mg/dl) × Fasting glucose (mg/dl))/2].

Results: The median low-dose dexamethasone suppression test (DST) in the MACS group was 2.9 µg/dl, while it was 1.1 µg/dl in the NFAA group. No significant differences were observed between the MACS and NFAA groups in terms of waist circumference (WC), WHtR, presence of type 2 diabetes, hypertension, or coronary artery disease (p>0.05). However, dyslipidemia was more prevalent and HbA1c levels were higher in the MACS group compared to the NFAA group (p<0.05). The prevalence of MetS was 50% in the MACS and 37.5% in the NFAA groups (P = 0.316). The CMI and TyG index was not statistically different between the groups (p>0.05) and the CMI was positively correlated with HbA1c (p<0.05). Serum adiponectin level was significantly higher in the MACS group than the NFAA group (p<0.001). In the linear regression analysis, serum adiponectin level was associated with low-dose DST and WC in the overall group (p<0.05).

Conclusions: The higher adiponectin levels observed in patients with MACS compared to those with NFAA highlight the need for further research to clarify the underlying mechanisms of the complex relationship between low-grade hypercortisolism, MetS, and adiponectin levels.

Key words: Adrenocortical Adenoma, Cushing Syndrome, Metabolic Syndrome, Obesity