Serum Visfatin Levels Research Articles

Handgrip strength, tumor necrosis factor-α, interlukin-6, and visfatin levels in oldest elderly patients with cognitive impairment.

Handgrip strength is associated with mild cognitive impairment. Tumor necrosis factor [TNF]-α and interleukin [IL]-6 were pro-inflammatory cytokines influencing the severity of initial neurological deficit. Visfatin is a novel adipokine and has a strong correlation with inflammation. The relationships of TNF-α, IL-6 and visfatin are not consistent, and no study has investigated them in the elderly patients with cognitive impairment. This study included patients aged ≥75years at the emergency department from August 2018 to February 2019. All patients underwent comprehensive geriatric assessment and blood tests for fasting plasma TNF-α, IL-6 and visfatin levels. We enrolled 106 elderly patients with a mean age of 87.3years, including 62 (58.4%) patients in cognitive impairment group (Mini-Mental State Examination [MMSE]<24) and 44 (41.5%) patients in the non-cognitive impairment group. Compared to the non-cognitive impairment group, the cognitive impairment group had significantly lower handgrip strength, and significantly higher TNF-α, IL-6 and visfatin levels. TNF-α positively correlated with IL-6. Both TNF-α and IL-6 negatively correlated with Barthel index and MMSE. Handgrip strength negatively correlated with TNF-α but positively correlated with Barthel index and MMSE scores. Backward and stepwise multiple logistic regression analyses showed that the independent predictor for cognitive impairment was handgrip strength and age. The cognitive impairment group had significantly higher serum TNF-α, IL-6, and visfatin levels. The independent predictors of cognitive impairment were handgrip strength and age. Handgrip strength negatively correlated with TNF-α and IL-6 but positively with Barthel index and MMSE scores.

Effect of Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy (LSG) Surgery on Weight Reduction and Serum Visfatin, Ghrelin and Leptin Levels in Morbidly Obese Subjects

Aim: this study aimed to investigate how Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) Surgery affect the weightreduction and level of serum adipokines (Visfatin , Ghrelin and Leptin) in Morbidly Obese Subjects becauseof the Conflicting results that obtained from previous studies regarding the changes of adipokines followingsleeve operation and weight reduction. Method: 20 Iraqi severely obese patients (12 females and 8 males),Mean ±SD of aged are 34.45±9.47, and 40 healthy lean controls (24 females and 16 males) Mean ±SD ofaged are 33.90±9.31were studied. Anthropometric parameters and biochemical parameters (insulin resistantIR) as well as visfatin, ghrelin and leptin were analyzed before and 6 weeks after the operation. Results: aftersurgery Anthropometric indices (BMI) decreased significantly. The reduction of visfatin and the elevationof ghrelin were statistically not significant, whereas leptin level decrease significantly and insulin resistant(IR) decrease not significantly. moreover, there is a significant positive correlation between the change ofserum leptin and (BMI)and visfatin correlated positively with insulin resistant (HOMA-IR).Conclusions: sleeve Gastrectomy resulted in significant decrease in the (BMI), decreased serum visfatin,insulin resistant and increased ghrelin levels statistically not significant, while significant decrease in leptinlevel. Further studies with different design are suggested to clarify these changes.

Correlation of metabolic syndrome with serum omentin-1 and visfatin levels and disease severity in psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.

Psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) have been linked to metabolic syndrome (MS). The impact of adipokines on psoriasis, PsA, and MS pathogenesis has recently received investigative attention. A total of 80 subjects with psoriasis, 40 subjects with PsA, and 60 healthy controls were enrolled. Serum omentin and visfatin levels were measured, and MS presence was determined. PASI and DAS28 were used to measure disease severity for psoriasis and PsA, respectively. The prevalence of MS was determined to be 49% in psoriasis, 48% in PsA, and 28% in control groups. Rates were similar in psoriasis and PsA groups and was significantly greater when compared to control (P = .028). Diastolic blood pressure and waist circumference were significantly greater in the psoriasis group. Although the presence of MS positively correlated with age and disease duration in the psoriasis group, no significant relationships with PASI and DAS28 were found. Among all groups combined, there was no significant relationship with omentin and visfatin levels. In the psoriasis group, omentin and visfatin levels were greater in those with MS compared to those without MS. The relationships between omentin and visfatin levels with MS in patients with psoriasis and PsA has not yet been fully elucidated. These results suggest that elevated omentin and visfatin levels seen in psoriasis may be linked to MS rather than psoriasis itself. Additional research is needed to investigate the utility of these measurements as indicators of MS in patients with psoriasis.

Serum adipocytokines and adiposity as predictive indices of preeclampsia

BackgroundThis study was aimed at determining the levels of serum adiponectin, leptin, resistin, visfatin and lipids during the first trimester in pregnant women and to evaluate the relationship between these biochemical markers and preeclampsia (PE). Available evidence point to changes in the levels of these adipokines in PE hence this study examined the potential of using these biomarkers in the prediction of the disease.MethodsThis was a case-control study which compared first trimester serum biochemical and anthropometric parameters in pregnant women who subsequently developed PE and those who did not. Blood pressure and urine protein were determined after 20 weeks of gestation and diagnosis of PE performed according to the guidelines of the American Heart Association.ResultsThere was no significant difference (p > 0.05) in the lipid profile with the exception of HDL cholesterol which was significantly lower (p = 0.043) in the PE group compared to the normotensive group. There were, however, significant differences (p < 0.05) in the adipokines between the PE group and those without PE. Analyses of area under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUCs) for the adipokines, showed their ability to correctly predict PE even after controlling for body mass index (BMI) and family history of hypertension.ConclusionAdiponectin, leptin, resistin and visfatin were found to be significant predictors of PE, with resistin being the best predictor after controlling for BMI. However, adiponectin was the best predictor after controlling for BMI, age, parity and family history of diabetes and preeclmapsia.

Acute Phase Serum Leptin, Adiponectin, Interleukin-6, and Visfatin Are Altered in Chinese Children With Febrile Seizures: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Adipokines, including leptin, visfatin, adiponectin, and interleukin-6 (IL)-6, play multiple roles in the pathophysiology of epilepsy and febrile seizures (FS). We aimed to investigate the associations among plasma adipokines, mainly leptin, visfatin, adiponectin, or IL-6, and the prognosis of FS. This prospective cross-sectional study was conducted from January 2017 to December 2018 at the Wuxi Second People' Hospital China. The levels of serum leptin, visfatin, adiponectin, and IL-6 in 55 children with FS (FS group) were compared with 42 febrile children without seizure (FC group) and 48 healthy children (HC group) in an acute phase. The correlation with clinical indicators was determined by logistic regression analysis. Serum adiponectin and IL-6 levels were significantly higher in the FS group than in the FC and HC groups (p < 0.05), but there was no statistical difference between the FC and HC groups. In addition, logistic regression analysis showed that high concentrations of adiponectin and IL-6 were significantly associated with the occurrence of FS. For leptin and visfatin, they were significantly lower in the FS and FC groups than in the normal control group, but there was no statistical difference between the FS and FC groups. Our results suggest that higher plasma levels of IL-6 and adiponectin may serve as an additional biomarker in the early treatment or follow-up of the FS children.

The The Circulating Visfatin Level Relation to the Severity of Chronic Kidney Disease

BACKGROUND: Adipokines have been associated with atherosclerotic heart disease, which has plenty of common risk factors with chronic kidney disease (CKD), but their association with CKD has not been well characterized. &#x0D; AIM: We investigated the association between the serum visfatin level and CKD.&#x0D; METHODS: The serum visfatin levels in 101 CKD patients and 101 controls were compared. CKD was defined as estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) &lt;60 ml/min/1.73 m2 or presence of albuminuria (≥30 mg/24 h).&#x0D; RESULTS: After adjustment for established CKD risk factors, the median (interquartile range) of the serum visfatin was 3.65 ng/ml (2.31–4.59) in patients with CKD and 1.66 ng/ml (0.90–2.45) in controls without CKD (p &lt; 0.0001 for group difference). Serum visfatin was significantly and inversely correlated with eGFR (r = –0.79, p &lt; 0.0001) and positively correlated with urine albumin (r = 0.71, p &lt; 0.0001) in the study participants. There was a strong dose-response and the significant relationship between serum visfatin level and CKD severity, assessed by GFR and albuminuria, regardless of established risk factors for CKD, including hypertension, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.&#x0D; CONCLUSION: Our results show that circulating visfatin is associated with the risk and severity of CKD. These results suggest that longitudinal studies and clinical trials should be conducted to investigate if adipocytokines play a role in the development and progression of CKD independent of body mass index or waist circumference. These important findings may advance our further understanding of CKD risk factors.

Assessment of Serum Visfatin Levels in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases in Babylon-Iraq

The presented study aims to evaluate of the levels of serum Visfatin, in patients with chronic obstructive Pulmonary diseases in Babylon-Iraq , to find the correlation of Visfatin, with lipid profile in these patients and compared with apparently healthy as case – control study. The study included (50) patients as patients group diagnosed with COPD (G1) and (50)as apparently control group(G2) .The age of all studied groups ranged between (40-65)years and BMI with (18.8-24.4) Kg/m2 .Serum was used in determination of FBS, lipid profile( Ch,TG,HDL-c,LDL-c and VLDL-c) , insulin , CRP and Visfatin , Whole blood was used for determination of HbA1C . The results revealed significant elevation in FBG and HbA1c levels were seen in patients groups when comparing to healthy control .The results indicates a significant elevation in TC, TG ,LDL-c and VLDL-c in G1 comparing to G2. Also , HDL-c significant decreased in G1 comparing to G 2 , Also ,the results showed significant increased in CRP levels in G1 , when comparing to G2, A non significant visfatin and insulin level in G1 when compared with G2(p value = 0.486) , . A non significant correlation was found in G1 between visfatin ,TC,TG, HDL-c and VLDL-c. The conclusion from this study indicate that G1 which HDL-c is low in this group has the highest value for FBS , HbA1c , TC ,TG,LDL and VLDL .Also, the study found non correlation between lipid profile parameters in G1

Semaphorin 3\u2009C is a Novel Adipokine Representing Exercise-Induced Improvements of Metabolism in Metabolically Healthy Obese Young Males

This study investigated the endurance exercise-induced changes in lesser known adipokines (visfatin, chemerin, apelin, semaphorin 3 C) related to obesity and metabolism, and their correlations with the changes in the parameters of obesity and glucose homeostasis. Forty metabolically healthy obese young males were randomly assigned to control group (C, n = 12) or exercise group (Ex, n = 28). The subjects in Ex participated in a 8-week supervised endurance exercise training program, comprised of four sessions of treadmill running at 65–70% of VO2max per week. Serum levels of visfatin, chemerin, apelin, and semaphorin 3 C were significantly decreased in Ex. At baseline, apelin and semaphorin 3 C appeared to be correlated with obesity measures, including body mass index, % total fat and trunk fat, and waist circumference. Exercise-induced changes in these obesity measures significantly correlated with the changes in chemerin and semaphorin 3 C. Basal chemerin, apelin and semaphorin 3 C correlated with glucose homeostasis parameters, including fasting plasma glucose, fasting plasma insulin, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance and β-cell function, and quantitative insulin-sensitivity check index to different extents. Furthermore, the changes in apelin and semaphorin 3 C well predicted the improvements in glycemic parameters. We suggest that semaphorin 3 C is a novel adipokine involved in pathophysiology of obesity and metabolism, and that it is a biomarker representing an exercise-induced improvement in metabolically healthy obese young males.

Visfatin associated with major adverse cardiovascular events in patients with acute myocardial infarction

BackgroundVisfatin is an adipokine that related with the inflammation in atherosclerosis and the destabilization of atherosclerotic plaque. The aim of this study was to observe the relationship between visfatin and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients.MethodsWe enrolled a total of 238 patients (183 AMI and 55 control) who underwent coronary angiography. Patients with AMI were followed for an average of 19.3 months and 159 patients were finally included in the study.ResultsIt was observed patients with AMI had higher serum visfatin levels than controls. The total incidence of MACEs was 11.32% (18/159) in AMI patients. After calculation of the Youden index, the best cut-off value of visfatin on the curve of receiver-operating characteristic was 8.799 ng/mL for predicting the occurrence of MACEs. The occurrence of MACEs was elevated in high-visfatin group (≥8.799 ng/mL) compared with low-visfatin group (≤8.799 ng/mL). The time to MACEs was correlated with visfatin (HR = 1.235, 95%CI 1.051–1.451, P = 0.01) and high-visfatin group had an earlier time to MACEs and a shorter time of cumulative survival.ConclusionsIncreased serum visfatin levels were observed in AMI patients, and correlated with an earlier onset and higher incidence of MACEs.

The impact of serum visfatin, and resistin levels on insulin resistance in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome

Background and objective: Women with polycystic ovary syndrome serve as a model to estimate the functions of insulin resistance and chronic hyperinsulinemia on serum level of insulin resistance markers. This study aimed to determine the association of the serum visfatin, resistin levels with insulin resistance in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome, and its correlations with various parameters. Methods: This case-control study was performed at the College of Pharmacy, Hawler Medical University in the period between May 2017 and July 2018. It included 100 patients and 100 age matched healthy control group was also enrolled for comparing purposes. Results: Patients had significantly elevated serum visfatin ( 2.46 vs. 1.08 ng/ml), resistin (3.87 vs. 2.46ng/ml), and insulin (17.22 vs. 8.1 µlU/ml) levels than controls. They also had significant elevations in insulin resistance (2.41 vs. 1.92) and β insulin function (94.45 vs. 86.98). There was no significant variation in insulin sensitivity (88.77 vs. 92.08). Conclusion: There was an association between resistin, visfatin, and polycystic ovary syndrome-related insulin resistance. Many recent proteins are now considered as potential new markers of insulin resistance in polycystic ovary syndrome. There was a strong connection between visfatin and resistin with insulin resistance in polycystic ovary syndrome pathophysiology.

Visfatin and SREBP-1c mRNA Expressions and Serum Levels Among Egyptian Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Background: Obesity and insulin resistance are common features accompanying polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Aim: To analyze the impact of obesity on the expression of the visfatin and sterol regulatory element-binding protein (SREBP)-1c genes among a group of Egyptian women with PCOS, and to assess their suitability as PCOS biomarkers. Subject and methods: Seventy healthy women (control group) (35 nonobese and 35 obese) and 140 women with PCOS (70 nonobese and 70 obese) were enrolled in this study. The visfatin and SREBP-1c genes' expression analyses were performed via real-time polymerase chain reaction. Serum visfatin and SREBP-1c protein levels were measured with ELISA kits. Results: Among PCOS patients, upregulation of visfatin and SREBP-1c expression was observed. We did not identify significant differences between the obese and nonobese PCOS patients nor between obese and non-obese controls. The mRNA expression levels of both genes were significantly positively correlated with their serum protein levels, as well as with fasting serum insulin levels, homeostatic model assessments of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), luteinizing hormone (LH) ratios, LH/follicular stimulating hormone ratios, total testosterone, and free androgens. We observed significant negative correlations between visfatin and SREBP-1c expression levels and sex hormone binding globulin levels in all studied groups. Receiver operating characteristic curve analyses revealed that combining the visfatin and SREBP-1c expression data increased the sensitivity (95.92%) and specificity (93.2%) for PCOS diagnoses. Conclusion: Upregulation of visfatin and SREBP-1c was observed among PCOS patients. These genes may play a role in the pathogenesis of PCOS independent of obesity. Combined visfatin and SREBP-1c analyses could be used as a noninvasive biomarker for PCOS.

Serum Visfatin, Blood Glucose, Lipid Metabolism and Nonalcoholic Fatty liver Disease in Simple Obese Children

Background: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) it is oneof the most common causes of liver disease worldwide. Visfatin is an adipocytokine hormone, which exerts an insulin-like effect by binding to the insulin receptor-1, we aim to investigate the correlation between serum Visfatin and NAFLD in Simple obese children. Method: This prospective study included 62 children clinically evaluated as obese and 35 apparently healthy children, age and sex matched as controls. Patients were recruited from the pediatric department of EL-Mina University, children’s hospital. While controls were collected from healthy school children between September, 2016 and October, 2017. Fasting Visfatin, glucose, hemoglobin A1c and lipid levels were assayed and abdominal ultrasonography was done for detection of NAFLD. Results: There was a statistically significant correlation between serum Visfatin level and BMI (p&lt;0.01), cholesterol levels (p&lt; 0.01), triglycerides levels (p&lt; 0.01), LDLlevels (p&lt; 0.01), HDLlevels (p&lt; 0.01) in both overweight and obese groups.

Responses of Visfatin and Resistin Concentration to Different Aerobic Training Intensities Protocols

Background: Visfatin and resistin are adipokines involved in metabolic regulation and physiological processes. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the effects of eight weeks of aerobic training with different intensities on serum levels of resistin and visfatin in obese male rats. Methods: 24 adult obese rats (weight: 250 to 300 gr, BMI &gt; 30 g/cm2) divided into three groups: aerobic training with 28 m/min (moderate intensity), aerobic training with 34 m/min (high intensity) and, control group. All training groups did exercise training for 8 weeks (5 sessions/per-week for 60 minutes per session). 48 hours after the training period, the level of serum visfatin and resistin levels was measured. Results: Unlike the levels of resistin concentration (P = 0.001) in different groups, there was no significant difference between visfatin levels in all three groups. Resistin concentration was not significantly changed in the moderate-intensity group compared to the control group, (185.10 ± 12.85 vs. 202.76 ± 17.39) (P = 0.05). There was a significant difference between the high intensity and control groups (P = 0.001). There was no significant difference in visfatin concentration in MI and HI groups compared to the control group (P &gt; 0.05). Conclusions: There is a significant difference in the levels of resistin concentration in different groups. There was no significant difference between visfatin levels in all three groups. Therefore, it seems that aerobic training with high intensity has a better effect on the prevention of obesity and cardiovascular disease.

Serum chemerin and visfatin levels and their ratio as possible diagnostic parameters of rheumatoid arthritis.

ObjectivesRheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease affecting the synovium and articular cartilage that initiates joint damage. Rheumatoid arthritis is associated with a change in many inflammatory biomarkers. The present study aims to examine the diagnostic ability of inflammatory adipocytokines (chemerin and visfatin) and their ratio for RA disease.Material and methodsThe study recruited 60 RA patients and 30 healthy controls. Serum visfatin and chemerin were measured using the ELISA technique. Some related parameters including body mass index (BMI), lipid profile components, C-reactive protein (CRP), and uric acid levels were also determined and correlated with the level of these adipokines.ResultsSerum chemerin, visfatin, CRP, and uric acid (UA) levels were significantly higher (p< 0.05) in RA patients than those of the control group. The multivariate general linear model (GLM) analysis showed that 70.7% of the change in the level of measured parameters can be explained by the presence of RA disease (partial η2 = 0.707, p< 0.001). To explore which parameter was affected by the diagnosis, the results of tests between subjects showed that all biomarkers were affected significantly by the diagnosis and the greater effects were on CRP (partial η2 = 0.480, p< 0.001) followed by chemerin (partial η2 = 0.295, p< 0.001), while visfatinshowed partial η2 = 0.079 only. Chemerin showed the highest sensitivity (88.1%) and specificity (75.9%) for diagnosis of RA at cut-off concentration = 187.88 ng/ml as compared with other parameters.ConclusionsChemerin and visfatin levels are affected by RA disease when adjusted for other cofounders. The present results suggest that serum chemerin can be used as an inflammatory marker of RA patients as it has good sensitivity and specificity.

Relationshıp of spontaneous subarachnoid haemorrhage and cerebral aneurysm to serum Visfatin and Nesfatin-1 levels

ObjectivesVisfatin and nesfatin are recently discovered peptides that play a role in various metabolic reactions exhibiting inflammatory and neuroprotective effects, and their levels are known to increase in cerebral ischaemia and haematomas. Inflammation plays a role in the development of aneurysm, and spontaneous subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) is typically caused by rupture of the aneurysmal sac because of the increased inflammation. In the present study, we investigated the relationship between serum visfatin and nesfatin levels and the clinical and radiological findings in patients with SAH. Patients and MethodOverall, 62 patients with spontaneous SAH who were followed-up in our clinic between September 2018 and July 2019 and 35 healthy patients who presented to our outpatient clinic with complaints of back, lumbar and neck pain were included in the study. ELISA method was used to study the visfatin and nesfatin levels in the serum samples of both groups. The visfatin and nesfatin levels of patients with spontaneous SAH were compared with the healthy population. In addition, the relationship between visfatin and nesfatin levels and the radiological and clinical findings of patients with spontaneous SAH were also investigated. All findings were evaluated statistically. ResultsThe median nesfatin and mean visfatin levels were higher in patients with SAH compared with the control group. The median nesfatin and mean visfatin levels were higher in patients with aneurysm than those without aneurysm. A positive correlation was observed between aneurysm length and nesfatin and visfatin levels. In patients with perimesencephalic haemorrhage, the mean visfatin level was determined to be lower compared with patients with classical aneurysmatic SAH, and the median nesfatin level did not differ significantly. The cut-off value of nesfatin for predicting SAH in patients compared with controls was >598.4 with 82.8 % sensitivity and 80 % specificity (P < 0.001). The cut-off value of visfatin for predicting SAH was >10.3 with 85.3 % sensitivity and 91.4 % specificity (P < 0.001). The diagnostic performance of visfatin and nesfatin levels was similar in predicting SAH. ConclusionIn the present study, we demonstrated that the presence of aneurysm, size of aneurysm, number of aneurysms correlate with visfatin and nesfatin levels in patients with SAH, and visfatin and nesfatin may be biomarkers for predicting SAH and presence of aneurysm. Nonetheless, future studies can include patients with unruptured aneurysm and investigate their serum visfatin and nesfatin levels to prove whether visfatin and nesfatin can serve as biomarkers in the follow-up of these patients.

Effect of Visfatin on Insulin Resistance in Non-Obese Adolescents

Background: Evidence base indicate that insulin resistance (IR) is common among adolescents and relatedto Diabetes Mellitus (DM). The serum visfatin is adipocytokine derived from visceral fat that may representa novel IR of metabolic syndrome include DM type II. Therefore, it is necessary to determine the role ofserum visfatin and IR in non-obese adolescent. Also this role could help to illustrated more effective earlydetection for DM type II in non-obese adolescents.Objective: The current study aimed to evaluate serum visfatin and IR in non-obese adolescents anddetermine its association.Method: In cross-sectional study we recruited 155 normal weights between aged 13-18 years. Laboratorymeasurements were included triglyceride, fasting blood sugar, insulin and visfatin, also IR index calculatedby homeostasis model assessment (HOMA). Anthropometric measurements were included height, weight,bicep and tricep skinfold thickness.Results: Most of subjects were girl 114 (73.55 %). The mean of serum visfatin level was 57.72 ng/ml (range:0.26-876.2 ng/ml) and HOMA level was 2.26 (range: 0.13-13.4). Non-obese adolescents were found IR.Serum visfatin was not statistical significant with IR (ORadj= 3.23 (95%CI: 0.84–12.45), p= 0.098). All lipidprofile (bicep, tricep skin fold thickness and triglyceride) were not affected to IR in non-obese adolescent.Conclusions: Serum visfatin in non-obese adolescent is independent to IR. IR usually occurred with obeseadolescent, but in this study also occurs with non-obese. The key point is lipid profile does not affect to IRstatus.

CoQ10 exerts hepatoprotective effect in fructose-induced fatty liver model in rats.

Excess dietary sugar is associated with deleterious metabolic effects, liver injury, and coenzyme-Q10 (CoQ10) deficiency. This study investigates the ability of CoQ10 to protect against fructose-induced hepatic damage. Rats were fed tap water or 30% fructose for 12weeks with or without CoQ10 (10mg/kg, po). An additional group of rats were allowed to feed on either water or 30% fructose for 12weeks, followed by four weeks of treatment with either the vehicle or CoQ10. Fructose-fed rats showed lower CoQ10 levels, increased systolic pressure, increased body weight, higher liquid consumption, decreased food intake and hyperglycemia. Fructose-fed rats also showed deteriorated serum and liver lipid profiles, impaired liver function tests and oxidative status, and lower expression of adiponectin receptor 1 and 2 along with higher GLUT-2 levels. Furthermore, following fructose treatment, tyrosine kinase-PI3K pathway was inhibited. Additionally, there was an increase in the levels of apoptotic markers and serum visfatin and a decrease in the levels of adiponectin and soluble receptor of the advanced glycated end product. Consequently, several histopathological changes were detected in the liver. Concurrent or three months post-exposure administration of CoQ10 in fructose rats significantly reversed or attenuated all the measured parameters and hepato-cytoarchitecture alterations. This study suggests CoQ10 supplement as a possible prophylaxis or treatment candidate for fructose-induced liver injury.

Assessment of serum visfatin level in beta thalassemia patients

Abstract Background Thalassemias are monogenetic hematologic disorders which are caused by faulty synthesis of one or more of the Hb chains which leads to imbalance in globin chains resulting in hemolysis and impaired erythropoiesis and chronic inflammatory condition. Visfatin is a pro-inflammatory adipocytokine which is mostly expressed in visceral adipose tissue and its testing may help in assessment of severity of the disease. Aim of the work This study aims at measuring serum visfatin level in Beta thalassemia patients and its possible correlation to disease severity (major andintermedia). Patients and methods Forty-one patients diagnosed as β-thalassemia (major, intermedia) and twenty age and sex-matched healthy individuals as the control group were tested for serum visfatin levels by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results Serum visfatin was higher in theß-thalassemia major(ß-TM) group than in the control group (P&amp;lt;0.001). Serum visfatinand serum ferritin were higher inß-TM group than in ß-thalassemia intermediagroup (ß-TI)(p &amp;lt; 0.001).Serum visfatin was found positively correlated with platelet count (P&amp;lt; 0.001) in the ß-TM group.As per ROC curve analysis, measured serum visfatin level was found to discriminate ß-TM group from β-TI group and control group. Conclusion There is an association between serum visfatin and the degree of severity of β thalassemia disease. Recommendations Testing of the relationship between serum visfatin level and other vascular inflammatory markers in β-thalassemia disease (asadiponectin, resistin, intracellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)) to clarify the exact mechanism of the inflammatory process in the disease and its complications to alter the course of the disease.Also to study serum visfatin in complicated β-thalassemia patients to establish its possible role in cardiac, vascular, endocrine or any other complications and comparing it with non-complicated patients.

The Possible Role of Adipokines in HCV Associated Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Background:Adipokines play an important role in the regulation of inflammation and tumor progression. Aim:Assessment of the possible role of adiponectin, leptin and visfatin in HCV associated hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods:patients were classified into 85 patients with HCV associated HCC, 100 patients with chronic hepatitis C viral (HCV) infection compared to 50 normal control (NC) subjects. All subjects included in the study were assessed for HCV infection by seropositive HCV antibodies, as well as HCV RNA by RT-PCR. Serum levels of adiponectin, leptin and visfatin were assessed using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The data were correlated to the relevant clinic-pathological features of the patients, and the overall survival (OS) rate. Results:There was a significant difference in the serum levels of adiponectin and visfatin among HCC, HCV and NC groups (P<0.001). The serum levels of leptin and alpha fetoprotein (AFP) were significantly higher in HCC group (P<0.001). There was a significant association between the serum level of adiponectin and advanced Child class liver cirrhosis (P=0.03), as well as with poor performance status (ECOG, P=0.02). Serum leptin associated significantly with the number of lesions in the liver (P=0.006), visfatin associated with increased mortality rate (P<0.001). Adiponectin, leptin and visfatin associated significantly with liver cirrhosis in HCV patients (P<0.01). Leptin achieved the highest sensitivity (98.8%). visfatin achieved the highest specificity (100%) and PPV (100%) for detection of HCC. The combination of serum leptin and visfatin for the diagnosis of HCV associated HCC showed sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV and accuracy (100%, 96.6%, 93.4%, 100% and 97.4%; respectively). Conclusion:Adiponectin, leptin and visfatin have an important role(s) in the pathogenesis of HCV associated HCC.

Serum visfatin and vaspin levels in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common liver cancer, accountable for 90% cases. Visfatin and vaspin are adipocytokines with various suggested functions and proven significant correlations between BMI and percentage of body fat. The aim was to assess visfatin and vaspin serum levels in HCC patients and controls, compare their levels in patients with different cancer etiology and grade assessed according to the Barcelona-Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) staging system. The additional aim was to analyze relationship between analyzed adipokines and metabolic abnormalities and liver disfunction severity. The study was performed on 69 cirrhotic patients (54 males/15 females) with HCC, aged 59.0 ± 12.1 years, and with BMI 29.0 ± 4.5 kg/m2 compared to 20 healthy volunteers. Serum visfatin and vaspin concentrations were significantly increased in HCC patients compared to controls (p = 0.01 and p = 0.02, respectively). Serum vaspin was significantly higher in HCC patients with viral compared to those with non-viral etiology (p = 0.02), with more evident increase in chronic hepatitis C patients (CHC). Serum visfatin levels were significantly higher in patients with higher insulin resistance (p = 0.04) and with platelets count > 100 000/mm3 (p<0.001). Patients with BMI >30 kg/m2 had markedly up-regulated vaspin levels (p = 0.04). There was no difference in vaspin and visfatin serum levels with respect to liver dysfunction and BCLC classification. In conclusion, our study revealed serum vaspin and visfatin to be significantly increased in HCC patients independently of cancer etiology compared to controls. Additionally, serum vaspin was elevated in viral disease, especially in CHC. Vaspin up-regulation can be a compensatory mechanism against IR in HCC patients. Serum visfatin and vaspin, although up-regulated, seem not to be associated with cancer grade and cirrhosis severity.