Serum Visfatin Levels and Coronary Artery Disease

Abstract

Introduction: Adipose tissue is not only source of energy but also an active endocrine organ serving function by secreting bioactive molecules called adipokines. Visfatin is a recently discovered adipokine and is proposed to play role in inflammatory and atherosclerotic states. We aimed to investigate the association of visfatin with coronary artery disease (CAD).Patients and Methods: Twenty patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting due to CAD were compared with 20 individuals without CAD angiographically. Gender, age, body mass index, and serum visfatin levels were compared between the two groups. Relationship of visfatin levels and severity of CAD, cross-clamp and cardiopulmonary bypass times were also investigated in the study group.Results: Age, gender, BMI, and blood pressures were not significantly different between the groups. There was significant difference in serum visfatin levels between the two groups (47.31±33.03 ng/mL and 9.04±7.18 ng/mL, p=0.0001). A strong correlation between the Gensini score and pre-operative visfatin levels (r=0.81; p=0.0001) was observed for the study group. No correlation was detected between the visfatin level and cardiopulmonary bypass and cross clamp times.Conclusion: Increased visfatin levels may be associated with inflammation and atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases. Circulating visfatin level is increased in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting. Further studies are warranted to determine the predictive value of serum visfatin as a biomarker and potential therapeutic target for metabolic and cardiovascular diseases.