The relationships between plasma adiponectin levels and the risk of myocardial infarction were evaluated in a case-control study involving 18,225 male participants of the Health Professionals Follow-up Study, aged 40–75 years and free of cardiovascular disease at baseline. 

During 6 years of follow-up in the main cohort, 266 men developed fatal or non-fatal MI. Control subjects, matched for age, date of blood draw, and smoking status, were selected in a 2:1 ratio (n=532).  Subjects were stratified into quintiles of adiponectin. Mean adiponectin levels (mg/L) in each quintile (Q1–Q5) were: Q1: 7.9; Q2: 12.6; Q3: 16.5; Q4: 21.1; Q5: 29.2.

Low adiponectin levels were associated with a higher risk of MI. This increased risk remained significant after adjustment for variables used in matching cases to controls, after further adjustment for family history of MI, BMI, alcohol use, physical activity, and history of diabetes or hypertension, and after additional adjustment for glycaemic status, C-reactive protein and lipid parameters (LDL-cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol