摘要Objective To investigate the relationship between serum adiponectin levels with adiposity,glucocorticoids , insulin and leptin in Cushing' s syndrome, obesity and non-obese subjects. Methods The serum adiponectin concentrations were measured in 104 non-obese and 57 overweight or obese (BMI≥25) subjects by RIA. 15 patients with Cushing's syndrome, 10 with obesity and 9 non-obese subjects were investigated, with their serum adiponectin, glucocorticoids, insulin and leptin levels measured at 8: 00, 12: 00, 16: 00, 20: 00, 24: 00 and 3:00. Dexamethasone suppression tests in both obesity and Cushing's syndrome were performed at the dose of lmg,2mg and 5mg. Results The serum adiponectin concentrations in non-obese were (10.15±6.33) mg/L in male and (13.82 ±6. 09 ) mg/L in female, and those in overweight or obese ones were(5. 78 ±3.55)mg/L in male and (8. 13 ± 4. 32 ) mg/L in female. In both men and women, the fasting adiponectin levels in overweight or obese subjects were lower than those of the non-obese ones, and serum adiponectin concentrations were significantly nagetively correlated with BMI, % Fat and waist circumference. The circadian rhythmicity of adiponectin was not distinct, but the adiponectin levels in obesity were lower than those of the non-obese subjects at all 6 time spots. The serum adiponectin area under curve (AUC) were significantly nagetively correlated with BMI, waist circumference and insulin AUC. The adiponectin levels with dexamethasone administration for a short-term both at higher doses and lower doses did not change, but was decreased after surgery. Conclusion Adiponectin is a hormone secreted by adipocytes which may intimately related to obese and insulin resistance. Therefore, any treatment that could be used to increase adiponectin should be beneficial. Neither long-term endogenous hyper-glucocorticoid nor short-term dexamethasone administration may affect the adiponectin levels, and similarly, no change with elevated postprandial insulin levels.