Abstract: Objective To investigate the change of the serum content of adiponectin in the elderly, and the relationship between hepatic steatosis and the serum content of adiponectin and metabolic syndrome.Methods 264 elderlies were divided into the hepatic steatosis group (87 cases) and control group (177 cases) after B type ultrasonograph examination. The height, weight, waist circumference and levels of serum lipid, glucose, insulin and adiponectin of all cases in the two groups were measured. The relationship between above variables and hepatic steatosis was analyzed. The multiple logistic regression analysis was used to test the efficacy of adiponectin and metabolic syndrome for predicting the probability of having hepatic steatosis in the elderly.Results For the hepatic steatosis group, the serum content of adiponectin was significantly lower than that of the control group ( P<0.01), the frequency of metabolic syndrome was significantly higher than that of the control group ( P<0.01), and the body mass index, waist circumference, blood glucose (fasting blood glucose and postprandial blood glucose), homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance index, total cholesterol, triglyceride and low density lipoprotein cholesterol increased and high density lipoprotein cholesterol decreased. Logistic regression analysis showed that serum content of adiponectin and metabolic syndrome were associated with the probability of hepatic steatosis.Conclusion The serum content of adiponectin and metabolic syndrome are useful indices for the prediction of hepatic steatosis.

Key words: adiponectin, obesity, metabolic syndrome, hepatic steatosis