Visfatin, glucose metabolism and vascular disease: a review of evidence

Abstract

The adipose tissue is an endocrine organ producing substances called adipocytokines that have different effects on lipid metabolism, metabolic syndrome, and cardiovascular risk. Visfatin was recently described as an adipocytokine with potentially important effects on glucose metabolism and atherosclerosis. Visfatin has been linked to several inflammatory conditions, beta cell function, and cardiovascular disease. The growing number of publications on the subject shall bring further evidence about this adipocytokine. Its findings may contribute in the identification of higher risk individuals for diabetes and cardiovascular disease with a better comprehension about the complex intercorrelation between adiposity, glucose metabolism and vascular disease.

Serum visfatin and vaspin levels in normoglycemic first-degree relatives of Iranian patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

“…However, there are huge discrepancies in reports of visfatin in relation to insulin sensitivity and insulin resistance [1,8,13]. Similar to our study, a lack of correlation between circulating visfatin and insulin/HOMA [27,28] was reported, but in contrast, a significant correlation between visfatin levels and insulin/HOMA was observed by other authors [9,13].…”

“…blood glucose [7], human studies have shown inconsistent and conflicting results regarding associations between visfatin and insulin-mimetic effect, insulin resistance, beta cell function impairment, adiposity, subcutaneous versus visceral fat distribution, and diabetes [1,3,8].…”

Omentin-1, visfatin and adiponectin levels in relation to bone mineral density in Iranian postmenopausal women

“…It also has a regulatory role in inflammation [33,34]. However, its operative molecular mechanism is not fully elucidated [35].…”

Serum visfatin and vaspin levels in prepubertal children: effect of obesity and weight loss after behavior modifications on their secretion and relationship with glucose metabolism

“…In humans, this cytokine is produced mainly by adipose tissue, but also by leukocytes, hepatocytes and muscle cells. 5 A positive correlation between serum visfatin levels and body fat content and a decrease after weight reduction have been described, 8 and in spite of its name, there is no evidence that its expression is higher in visceral than in subcutaneous adipose tissue. 9 Serum visfatin levels are relatively low, and although it is currently thought that this peptide is important for normal insulin secretion, the correlation between visfatin levels and type 2 diabetes and other states of insulin resistance is variable.…”

“…Recently, two adipokines, pre-B-cell colony-enhancing factor/NAMPT (nicotinamide phosphoribosiltransferase)/ visfatin 4,5 and the visceral adipose-tissue-derived serine protease inhibitor/vaspin, 6 with potential insulin secretagogue or sensitizing properties, have been described. Visfatin was shown to induce hypoglycemia in mice and to phosphorylate the insulin receptor and its related substrates 1 and 2 in vitro, 7 although these insulin-like actions have not been fully confirmed.…”