Visfatin Serum Levels in Obese Type 2 Diabetic Patients: Relation to Proinflammatory Cytokines and Insulin Resistance

Visfatin, an adipocytokine with insulin-mimetic activity, has been previously reported to associate with obesity. Herein, we aimed to investigate the serum level of visfatin and association with proinflammatory markers and insulin resistance in obese type 2 diabetic patients. A case control study was carried out among 80 diabetics and 40 non-diabetic healthy controls, after obtaining Anthropometric measurements and blood pressure. Serum level of visfatin and C-reactive protein (CRP) were measured by Enzyme Immunoassay. Interleukin 6 (IL6), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-) were measured by ELISA and the homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance was calculated as a marker of insulin resistance. Compared to healthy controls, diabetic patients showed a significant high serum levels of visfatin (40.33±9.98 vs 19.03±8.22), (P= 0.001), IL6 (12.06±2.69 vs 6.02±3.03), (P < 0.0001), TNF- (13.53±2.54 vs 8.70±3.40), P < 0.0001) and CRP (7.77±1.61 vs 6.01±1.99), (P=0.003). Also there was a strong positive correlation between serum level of visfatin, IL6, TNF- and CRP and some anthropometric characteristics including (WC,BMI and insulin resistance). Furthermore, among 80 diabetic patients, serum level of visfatin was positively correlated with IL6 (r=0.47, P < 0.0001), TNF- (r=0.62, P < 0.0001), CRP (r=0.4, P=0.002) respectively. In conclusion, there is a strong positive correlation between visfatin serum level and the inflammatory markers IL6, TNF- and CRP in type 2 diabetic patients. There is also a positive correlation with insulin resistance and BMI which indicates association of visfatin with obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus.