Relationship between salivary adiponectin, IGF-1, obesity and breast cancer

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine if adiponectin and IGF-1 salivary concentrations are altered in combination with the presence of obesity and breast cancer. The null hypothesis is that there are no significant adiponectin and IGF-1 concentration alterations secondary to the presence of obesity and/or carcinoma of the breast. Methods: There were two groups of test subjects: healthy controls (n = 20) and individuals diagnosed with breast cancer (n = 20). The two cohorts were further stratified into four groups. These included subjects who are healthy and of normal BMI (n = 10); are healthy but have an elevated BMI (n = 10); have breast cancer and a normal BMI (n = 10); and have cancer and an elevated BMI (n = 10). The presence and concentration of adiponectin and IGF-1 was determined using the ELISA methodology. Results: The investigation revealed a significant increase in mean adiponectin levels in subjects with cancer compared to the controls (t = -2.57; p < .01). Individuals that were diagnosed with breast cancer and were obese exhibited the highest concentrations (F = 5.13; p < .005) of adiponectin. Adiponectin concentrations were also found to be correlated to IGF-I levels (r = 0.05; p < .001). Conclusion: Salivary adiponectin levels were significantly higher among cancer group. There were no significant differences between the cancer and control groups for IGF-I levels.