Circulating NAMPT/ PBEF /Visfatin and its cardiometabolic risk in young obese adults

Abstract

Introduction and Aim: In this era of obesity pandemic, obesity related metabolic derangements has demanded more clinical attention due to its high rate of morbidity and mortality. Altered lipid profile and atherogenicity have increased the cardio metabolic risks, even in young adults and adolescents. Among various adipocytokines, visfatin/PBEF(pre-B-cell colony-enhancing factor)/NAMPT (nicotinamide phosphoribosyl transferase), predominantly secreted from the visceral fat, helps to predict the amount of fat that has a strong correlation with the derangement of cardio metabolic profile compared to the subcutaneous fat.The aim of this study is to determine the serum PBEF/visfatin levels in young obese, and to evaluate its correlation with body fat distribution, lipid parameters and the atherogenic index. Materials and Methods:The subjects were 60 young obese adults in the age group of 18-35 years and age and sex matched 30 controls. Serum visfatin, lipid parameters and anthropometric indices- weight, height, HC (Hip circumference)and WC(waist circumference) were measured and BMI (Body mass index),WHR(waist–hip ratio) andatherogenic index (log of TG/ HDL-C) was calculated. Results: NAMPT/PBEF/Serum visfatin levels, BMI, WC, WHR, TG, LDL-C was significantly higher in young obese subjects than the controls (P< 0.05). The AIP - atherogenic index of plasma was also significantly higher in young obese with P value < 0.01. There was positive correlation of TG, LDL-C and atherogenic index with serum NAMPT/visfatin levels. BMI also showed a significant positive correlation with r value of 0.56 (P= 0.01). Conclusion:These results highlight that serum NAMPT/visfatin levels, due to its association with the atherogenic index, as a significant marker for assessing the cardio-metabolic risks in obese subjects. Higher atherogenic index of plasma in obese individuals focuses the impact of visceral fat in the initiation of atherosclerotic plaques even at a younger age group.