The adipokine visfatin is markedly elevated in obese children.
OBJECTIVE
The insulin-mimetic adipocytokine visfatin has been linked to adiposity and the metabolic syndrome.


METHODS
Cross-sectional study.


METHODS
Eighty-three nondiabetic obese children and 40 healthy controls.


METHODS
We analyzed plasma visfatin concentrations to assess whether this adipokine is associated with adiposity.


RESULTS
Plasma visfatin concentrations were nearly 2-fold higher in obese children (mean, 1.1 ng/mL; 95% CI, 0.2-6.6) than in controls (0.6 ng/mL, 95% CI, 0.6 to 0.6; P < 0.001). No relationship was detectable between visfatin and other subject characteristics, hsCRP or the lipid profile.


CONCLUSIONS
Visfatin may be involved in the development of metabolic derangements in obese children.
Haider
Dominik G
DG
Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Austria.
Holzer
Gregor
G
Schaller
Georg
G
Weghuber
Daniel
D
Widhalm
Kurt
K
Wagner
Oswald
O
Kapiotis
Stylianos
S
Wolzt
Michael
M
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D016207:Cytokines / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology*; D054409:Nicotinamide Phosphoribosyltransferase; D009765:Obesity / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications
D016207:Cytokines; D054409:Nicotinamide Phosphoribosyltransferase; C085455:nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase, human