Increased serum visfatin levels in obesity and its association with anthropometric/biochemical parameters, physical inactivity and nutrition

Background & aims The study investigated the role of visfatin in middle-aged adults with respect to anthropometric/biochemical parameters, nutritional status and exercise. Methods 48 normal weight and 48 overweight adults participated in the study. All participants underwent standard anthropometrical measurements of body composition, aerobic and anaerobic capabilities assessment, dietary intake evaluation, and fasting serological measurements of visfatin, interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-α, fasting glucose, insulin, cholesterol, triacylglycerols, C-reactive protein, and amino acids. Results Baseline levels of fasting visfatin were significantly higher in overweight compared to normal weight subjects (4.1 ± 0.6 ng/mL vs. 1.8 ± 0.6 ng/mL for males and 4.4 ± 0.5 ng/mL vs. 2.5 ± 0.5 ng/mL for females). Moreover, multiple stepwise linear regression analyses confirmed that physical fitness was the best significant predictor of the baseline visfatin concentration in male participants, while alanine, omega-3 fatty acid intakes and C-reactive protein were significant predictors of baseline visfatin concentrations independent of age, body mass index, and % of trunk fat in females. Conclusions The results indicate increased serum visfatin levels in obesity and provide evidence that central obesity combined with physical inactivity, higher glucose, amino acids, insulin, triacylglycerols and inflammation contribute to visfatin elevation in a gender-dependent manner.