Effects of weight reduction on serum vaspin concentrations in obese subjects: modification by insulin resistance

The effects of extracellular vesicles and their cargo on metabolism and its adaptation to physical exercise in insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes

Lifestyle modification represents the first-line strategy for the prevention and treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), which is frequently associated with obesity and characterized by defective pancreatic insulin secretion and/or insulin resistance. Exercise training is an essential component of lifestyle modification and has been shown to ameliorate insulin resistance by reducing body fat mass and by enhancing skeletal muscle mitochondrial biogenesis and insulin-independent glucose uptake. Additionally, exercising stimulates the release of exerkines such as metabolites or cytokines, but also long non-coding RNA, microRNAs, cell-free DNA (cf-DNA), and extracellular vesicles (EVs), which contribute to inter-tissue communication. There is emerging evidence that EV number and content are altered in obesity and T2DM and may be involved in several metabolic processes, specifically either worsening or improving insulin resistance. This review summarizes the current knowledge on the metabolic effects of exercise training and on the potential role of humoral factors and EV as new biomarkers for early diagnosis and tailored treatment of T2DM.

Vaspin: A Novel Biomarker Linking Gluteofemoral Body Fat and Type 2 Diabetes Risk

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether adiposity depots modulate vaspin levels and whether vaspin predicts type 2 diabetes (T2D) risk, through epidemiological and genetic analyses.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

We assessed the relationship of plasma vaspin concentration with incident and prevalent T2D and adiposity-related variables in 1) the Prospective Urban and Rural Epidemiology (PURE) biomarker substudy (N = 10,052) and 2) the Outcome Reduction with Initial Glargine Intervention (ORIGIN) trial (N = 7,840), using regression models. We then assessed whether vaspin is causally associated with T2D and whether genetic variants associated with MRI-measured adiposity depots modulate vaspin levels, using two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR).

RESULTS

A 1-SD increase in circulating vaspin levels was associated with a 16% increase in incident T2D in the PURE cohort (hazard ratio 1.16; 95% CI 1.09-1.23; P = 4.26 × 10-7) and prevalent T2D in the ORIGIN cohort (odds ratio [OR] 1.16; 95% CI 1.07-1.25; P = 2.17 × 10-4). A 1-unit increase in BMI and triglyceride levels was associated with a 0.08-SD (95% CI 0.06-0.10; P = 2.04 × 10-15) and 0.06-SD (95% CI 0.04-0.08; P = 4.08 × 10-13) increase, respectively, in vaspin in the PURE group. Consistent associations were observed in the ORIGIN cohort. MR results reinforced the association between vaspin and BMI-adjusted T2D risk (OR 1.01 per 1-SD increase in vaspin level; 95% CI 1.00-1.02; P = 2.86 × 10-2) and showed that vaspin was increased by 0.10 SD per 1-SD decrease in genetically determined gluteofemoral adiposity (95% CI 0.02-0.18; P = 2.01 × 10-2). No relationships were found between subcutaneous or visceral adiposity and vaspin.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings support that higher vaspin levels are related to increased T2D risk and reduced gluteofemoral adiposity, positioning vaspin as a promising clinical predictor for T2D.

Bariatric Surgery in Obesity: Metabolic Quality Analysis and Comparison of Surgical Options

Obesity is a constantly growing health problem which reduces quality of life and life expectancy. Bariatric surgery (BS) for obesity is considered when all other conservative treatment modalities have failed. Comparison of the multidisciplinary programs with BS regarding to the weight loss showed that substantial and durable weight reduction have been achieved only with bariatric surgical treatments. Although laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy is the most popular BS, it has high long-term failure rates, and it is claimed that one of every three patients will undergo another bariatric procedure within a 10-year period. Although BS provides weight loss and improvement of metabolic comorbidities, in long-term follow-up, weight gain is observed in half of the patients, while decrease in bone mass and nutritional deficiencies occur in up to 90%. Moreover, despite significant weight loss, several psychological aspects of patients are worsened in comparison to preoperative levels. Nearly one-fifth of postoperative patients with "Loss-of-eating control" meet food addiction criteria. Therefore, the benefits of weight loss following bariatric procedures alone are still debated in terms of the proinflammatory and metabolic profile of obesity.

A Mediterranean Eating Pattern Combining Energy and Time-Restricted Eating Improves Vaspin and Omentin Concentrations Compared to Intermittent Fasting in Overweight Individuals

Athonian Orthodox fasting (AOF) is characterized by energy- and time-restricted eating (TRE) and is based on the Mediterranean diet. We aimed to investigate the impact of AOF compared to another TRE model on vaspin, omentin, nesfatin, and visfatin levels. We included 25 individuals (mean age 50.3 ± 8.6 years, 24% men) who practiced AOF and abstained from animal products, with the exception of seafood and fish. This group adopted a 12 h eating interval (08.00 to 20.00). In total, 12 participants (mean age 47.7 ± 8.7 years, 33.3% men) who practiced 16:8 TRE (eating from 09:00 to 17:00) and were allowed to consume meat served as the controls. Anthropometric and dietary data and adipokine levels were prospectively collected at three time points: at baseline, after the end of the diets (7 weeks), and 5 weeks after the participants returned to their typical eating habits (12 weeks from baseline). Vaspin levels decreased [795.8 (422.1-1299.4) (baseline) vs. 402.7 (203.8-818.9) (7 weeks) pg/mL, p = 0.002] and omentin levels increased [568.5 (437.7-1196.5) (baseline) vs. 659.0 (555.7-1810.8) (12 weeks) pg/mL, p = 0.001] in the AOF group, while none of the analyzed adipokines changed significantly in the TRE group. The variations observed in vaspin and omentin concentrations in the AOF group were independent of age, sex, changes in anthropometry and fat intake. In conclusion, AOF can significantly reduce vaspin and increase omentin, whose levels are known to increase and decrease, respectively, in obesity and type 2 diabetes. The implications of these findings for cardiometabolic health warrant further investigation.

Adipokines as Clinically Relevant Therapeutic Targets in Obesity

Adipokines provide an outstanding role in the comprehensive etiology of obesity and may link adipose tissue dysfunction to further metabolic and cardiovascular complications. Although several adipokines have been identified in terms of their physiological roles, many regulatory circuits remain unclear and translation from experimental studies to clinical applications has yet to occur. Nevertheless, due to their complex metabolic properties, adipokines offer immense potential for their use both as obesity-associated biomarkers and as relevant treatment strategies for overweight, obesity and metabolic comorbidities. To provide an overview of the current clinical use of adipokines, this review summarizes clinical studies investigating the potential of various adipokines with respect to diagnostic and therapeutic treatment strategies for obesity and linked metabolic disorders. Furthermore, an overview of adipokines, for which a potential for clinical use has been demonstrated in experimental studies to date, will be presented. In particular, promising data revealed that fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-19, FGF-21 and leptin offer great potential for future clinical application in the treatment of obesity and related comorbidities. Based on data from animal studies or other clinical applications in addition to obesity, adipokines including adiponectin, vaspin, resistin, chemerin, visfatin, bone morphogenetic protein 7 (BMP-7) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) provide potential for human clinical application.

Association of Serum Vaspin Concentration with Metabolic Disorders in Obese Individuals

Vaspin, a molecule produced in visceral adipose tissue, seems to participate in the pathogenesis of metabolic disorders. The study aimed to determine the association of vaspin concentration with metabolic disorders in obese individuals. Forty obese patients and twenty normal-weight subjects underwent biochemical (fasting glucose, insulin, lipid profile, interleukin-6, hs-CRP, vaspin concentration), blood pressure, and anthropometric measurements. The HOMA-IR index was calculated. Serum vaspin concentrations in the obese group were significantly higher than in the control group (0.82 ± 0.62 vs. 0.43 ± 0.59; p < 0.001). Among the entire population, vaspin concentration was positively correlated with body weight, BMI, WHR, and the percentage and mass of adipose tissue. Positive correlations between vaspin concentration and triglyceride level, insulin concentration, and HOMA-IR value were found. Vaspin concentration was positively correlated with hs-CRP and IL-6 levels. In obese patients, positive correlations between vaspin concentration and the percentage of adipose tissue and hs-CRP level were demonstrated. Logistic regression analysis showed that increased BMI was the biggest factor stimulating vaspin concentrations (OR = 8.5; 95% CI: 1.18–61.35; p = 0.0338). An elevated vaspin level may imply its compensatory role against metabolic disorders in obese patients. Thus, vaspin appears to be a useful diagnostic parameter for new therapeutic approaches in obesity-related complications. Nevertheless, due to the small sample size, further studies are needed to confirm our results.

OBEZİTENİN DOLAŞIMDAKİ GALANİN VE VASPİN DÜZEYLERİ İLE İLİŞKİSİ

Objective: Our aim was to compare vaspin and galanin in obese and normal weight individuals, to reveal whether these parameters are related to obesity and other related parameters. Material and Methods: Forty patients with obesity and 40 control subjects were included in the study. Biochemical parameters were recorded from patient’s files. Galanin and vaspin levels were studied by ELISA method, obtained as a result of centrifugation of these blood samples. Results: The groups were similar to each other in terms of gender and age (p>0.05). Galanine levels were higher in the group with obesity compared to the control group (p0.05). Glucose, insulin, triglyceride and LDL-C levels were statistically significantly higher in the patient group than in the control group (p0.05). A statistically significant positive correlation was found with galanin and glucose, insulin, and BMI, respectively (p

Exercise training modulates adipokine dysregulations in metabolic syndrome

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a cluster of risk factors for various metabolic diseases, and it is characterized by central obesity, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and insulin resistance. The core component for MetS is adipose tissue, which releases adipokines and influences physical health. Adipokines consist of pro and anti-inflammatory cytokines and contribute to various physiological functions. Generally, a sedentary lifestyle promotes fat accumulation and secretion of pro-inflammatory adipokines. However, regular exercise has been known to exert various beneficial effects on metabolic and cognitive disorders. Although the mechanisms underlying exercise beneficial effects in MetS are not fully understood, changes in energy expenditure, fat accumulation, circulatory level of myokines, and adipokines might be involved. This review article focuses on some of the selected adipokines in MetS, and their responses to exercise training considering possible mechanisms.

Association of vaspin rs2236242 gene polymorphism with serum vaspin level, insulin resistance and diabetes in an Iranian diabetic/pre-diabetic population

BACKGROUND

In recent years, the role of vaspin as an insulin-sensitizer has been studied widely. This is the investigation that examined the association of vaspin polymorphism rs2236242 on the vaspin level and the risk of type 2 diabetes and insulin-resistant Iranian pre-diabetic/diabetic population.

METHODS

A case-control study was conducted on 160 participants includes 80 participants holding (FBG) fasting blood glucose 3.88-5.55 (mmol/L) in the normal group, and 80 participants holding FBG≥5.55 (mmol/L) in a diabetic/pre-diabetic group. The serum vaspin and insulin were determined with ELISA (enzyme-linked assay) and biochemical variables by standard method. Tetra arms amplification system for the vaspin gene was performed. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS software version 20.

RESULTS

The means of age, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), hip circumference (HC), FBG, and vaspin were significantly different between normal and type 2 diabetic/impaired fasting blood group (P-value<0.05). rs2236242 showed association with Hip circumference (P-value<0.05). A significant association between allele A of rs2236242 with type 2 diabetes was seen (P-value<0.001). The vaspin levels showed a negative correlation with FBG (r =-0.296, P=0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Allele A of rs2236242 is a protective risk for type 2 diabetes, but no association of rs2236242 with insulin resistance was seen. The lower level of vaspin is a predictor for the progression of type 2 diabetes.

The effects of physical activity on adipokines in individuals with overweight/obesity across the lifespan: A narrative review

This narrative review summarizes current knowledge on the effects of physical activity (PA) on adipokine levels in individuals with overweight and obesity. Approximately 90 investigations including randomized control, cross-sectional and longitudinal studies that reported on the effects of a single session of PA (acute) or long-term PA (chronic) on adipokine levels in individuals with overweight/obesity were reviewed. The findings support the notion that there is consensus on the benefits of chronic exercise training-regardless of the mode (resistance vs. aerobic), intensity and cohort (healthy vs. diabetes)-on adipokine levels (such as tumour necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-6, adiponectin, visfatin, omentin-1 and leptin). However, several confounding factors (frequency, intensity, time and type of exercise) can alter the magnitude of the effects of an acute exercise session. Available evidence suggests that PA, as a part of routine lifestyle behaviour, improves obesity complications by modulating adipokine levels. However, additional research is needed to help identify the most effective interventions to elicit the most beneficial changes in adipokine levels in individuals with overweight/obesity.

The investigation effect of weight loss on serum vaspin, apelin-13, and obestatin levels in obese individual

Objectives

It was aimed to investigate if there were any significant corresponding changes on adipokine levels in obese subjects who achieved a 10% reduction in body weight.

Methods

Thirty obese and 25 healthy adults were enrolled in present study, and serum levels of vaspin, apelin-13, obestatin, and insulin were determined with the ELISA method.

Results

The serum obestatin and apelin-13 values of the obese group obtained as basal and after weight loss was significantly lower than in controls (p<0.05, p<0.01, p<0.01, p<0.05, respectively); however, weight loss did not cause significant changes on these parameters in obese groups (p>0.05). The vaspin level did not differ between the groups (p>0.05). The obese group had characterized increased serum insulin and insulin resistance assessment by the homeostatic assay (HOMA-IR) levels compared to controls (p<0.01, p<0.05, respectively); also, weight loss caused a significant decrease in these parameters compared to basal levels (p<0.01). No significant correlation was detected among the vaspin, apelin-13 and obestatin levels in the obese group (p>0.05).

Conclusions

Obese individuals exhibited decreased levels of apelin-13 and obestatin. Moreover, 10% weight loss caused a significant reduction of insulin resistance, but no significant change was detected on apelin-13, obestatin, and vaspin levels.

Plasma vaspin is an effective biomarker for evaluation of future cardiovascular events in patients with chest pain: a 5-year retrospective observational study

Background

Our previous study showed that visceral adipose tissue-derived serpin (vaspin) was an independent predictor of coronary artery disease (CAD). Further, plasma vaspin levels in patients with unstable angina pectoris were lower than those in patients with stable angina pectoris. In this study, we investigated the prognostic relevance of plasma vaspin levels in patients with CAD and non-CAD.

Methods

It was a retrospective observational study. A total of 197 patients with chest pain were enrolled, of which 88 patients with CAD and 109 patients with non-CAD were confirmed by angiography. Plasma vaspin levels and clinical parameters were measured at baseline. Incidence of major adverse cardiac event (MACE) was determined on follow-up.

Results

One hundred eighty-nine patients were successfully followed up for 5 years, of which 63 patients experienced MACEs. Patients with low vaspin levels (<0.385 ng/mL) experienced a higher incidence of MACE as compared to patients with high vaspin levels (>0.385 ng/mL) (42.55% vs. 24.21%, respectively; P=0.007). In both CAD and non-CAD groups, patients with high vaspin levels showed improvement in left ventricular ejection fraction. Kaplan Meier survival curves showed that patients with low vaspin levels had an obviously higher timing of incidence of MACE in the whole population (P=0.006) and in the non-CAD subgroup (P=0.009); however, the trend was not significant in the CAD subgroup. On multivariate analyses, plasma vaspin level was found to be an independent predictor of MACE, particularly in the non-CAD group.

Conclusions

Plasma vaspin may be a useful biomarker for prediction of MACE in patients with chest pain.

Insight into adipokines to optimize therapeutic effects of stem cell for tissue regeneration

Stem cell therapy is considered as a promising regenerative medicine for repairing and treating damaged tissues and/or preventing various diseases. But there are still some obstacles such as low cell migration, poor stem cell engraftment and decreased cell survival that need to be overcome before transplantation. Therefore, a large body of studies has focused on improving the efficiency of stem cell therapy. For instance, preconditioning of stem cells has emerged as an effective strategy to reinforce therapeutic efficacy. Adipokines are signaling molecules, secreted by adipose tissue, which regulate a variety of biological processes in adipose tissue and other organs including the brain, liver, and muscle. In this review article, we shed light on the biological effects of some adipokines including apelin, oncostatin M, omentin-1 and vaspin on stem cell therapy and the most recent preclinical advances in our understanding of how these functions ameliorate stem cell therapy outcome.

Adipose Tissue-Derived Signatures for Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes: Adipokines, Batokines and MicroRNAs

: Obesity is one of the main risk factors for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). It is closely related to metabolic disturbances in the adipose tissue that primarily functions as a fat reservoir. For this reason, adipose tissue is considered as the primary site for initiation and aggravation of obesity and T2DM. As a key endocrine organ, the adipose tissue communicates with other organs, such as the brain, liver, muscle, and pancreas, for the maintenance of energy homeostasis. Two different types of adipose tissues-the white adipose tissue (WAT) and brown adipose tissue (BAT)-secrete bioactive peptides and proteins, known as "adipokines" and "batokines," respectively. Some of them have beneficial anti-inflammatory effects, while others have harmful inflammatory effects. Recently, "exosomal microRNAs (miRNAs)" were identified as novel adipokines, as adipose tissue-derived exosomal miRNAs can affect other organs. In the present review, we discuss the role of adipose-derived secretory factors-adipokines, batokines, and exosomal miRNA-in obesity and T2DM. It will provide new insights into the pathophysiological mechanisms involved in disturbances of adipose-derived factors and will support the development of adipose-derived factors as potential therapeutic targets for obesity and T2DM.

Inflammation Markers in Type 2 Diabetes and the Metabolic Syndrome in the Pediatric Population

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Chronic inflammation, adipokines, and hepatokines have been identified as basis of insulin resistance and β cell failure in animal models. We present our current knowledge concerning the potential relationship between these cytokines, inflammation, metabolic syndrome (MetS), and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in the pediatric population.

RECENT FINDINGS

Pro-inflammatory cytokines related to insulin resistance and MetS in children are tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1β, interferon gamma, pigment epithelium-derived factor, chemerin, vaspin, and fetuin A. Anti-inflammatory cytokines associated with insulin resistance and MetS in children are leptin, adiponectin, omentin, fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-21, osteocalcin, and irisin. These anti-inflammatory cytokines are decreased (adiponectin, omentin, and osteocalcin) or increased (leptin, FGF-21, and irisin) in obesity suggesting a resistance state. TNF-α, fetuin A, and FGF-21 are altered in obese children with T2DM suggesting an involvement in β cell failure. These cytokines, adipokines, and hepatokines may be able to predict development of MetS and T2DM and have a potential therapeutic target ameliorating insulin resistance.

Longitudinal Increases in Adiposity Contribute to Worsening Adipokine Profile over Time in Mexican Americans

OBJECTIVE

Limited studies have assessed the relationship between longitudinal changes in adiposity and changes in multiple adipokines over time. This study examined changes in BMI, total body fat, and trunk fat associated with changes in 16 circulating adipokines in Mexican Americans at risk for type 2 diabetes.

METHODS

Participants included 1,213 individuals with cross-sectional data and a subset of 368 individuals with follow-up measures (mean 4.6 ± 1.5 years from baseline). Joint multivariate associations between 3 adiposity measures and 16 adipokines were assessed by canonical correlation analysis.

RESULTS

Longitudinal increases in adiposity were most strongly associated with increasing leptin, C-reactive protein (CRP), and interleukin 1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra) and decreasing adiponectin and secreted frizzled protein 5 (SFRP5) over time. Participants with BMI ≥ 30 kg/m² at baseline had greater increases in leptin, CRP, IL-1Ra, and interleukin 6 (IL-6) and greater decreases in adiponectin and SFRP5, associated with increasing adiposity over follow-up, than those with BMI < 30 kg/m² . Associations between adiposity and adipokines were most accounted for by leptin; adjustment for leptin greatly reduced the magnitude of all associations between adiposity and remaining adipokines.

CONCLUSIONS

Increasing adiposity contributes to a worsening imbalance of pro- and anti-inflammatory adipokines over time, in which leptin may have an important role as a key mediator of metabolic disease risk in Mexican Americans.

Molecular Mechanisms of Vaspin Action - From Adipose Tissue to Skin and Bone, from Blood Vessels to the Brain

Visceral adipose tissue-derived serine protease inhibitor (vaspin) or SERPINA12 according to the serpin nomenclature was identified together with other genes and gene products that were specifically expressed or overexpressed in the intra-abdominal or visceral adipose tissue (AT) of the Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima fatty rat. These rats spontaneously develop visceral obesity, insulin resistance, hyperinsulinemia and -glycemia, as well as hypertension and thus represent a well suited animal model of obesity and related metabolic disorders such as type 2 diabetes.The follow-up study reporting the cloning, expression and functional characterization of vaspin suggested the great and promising potential of this molecule to counteract obesity induced insulin resistance and inflammation and has since initiated over 300 publications, clinical and experimental, that have contributed to uncover the multifaceted functions and molecular mechanisms of vaspin action not only in the adipose, but in many different cells, tissues and organs. This review will give an update on mechanistic and structural aspects of vaspin with a focus on its serpin function, the physiology and regulation of vaspin expression, and will summarize the latest on vaspin function in various tissues such as the different adipose tissue depots as well as the vasculature, skin, bone and the brain.

Role of Omentin, Vaspin, Cardiotrophin-1, TWEAK and NOV/CCN3 in Obesity and Diabetes Development

Adipose tissue releases bioactive mediators called adipokines. This review focuses on the effects of omentin, vaspin, cardiotrophin-1, Tumor necrosis factor-like Weak Inducer of Apoptosis (TWEAK) and nephroblastoma overexpressed (NOV/CCN3) on obesity and diabetes. Omentin is produced by the stromal-vascular fraction of visceral adipose tissue. Obesity reduces omentin serum concentrations and adipose tissue secretion in adults and adolescents. This adipokine regulates insulin sensitivity, but its clinical relevance has to be confirmed. Vaspin is produced by visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissues. Vaspin levels are higher in obese subjects, as well as in subjects showing insulin resistance or type 2 diabetes. Cardiotrophin-1 is an adipokine with a similar structure as cytokines from interleukin-6 family. There is some controversy regarding the regulation of cardiotrophin-1 levels in obese -subjects, but gene expression levels of cardiotrophin-1 are down-regulated in white adipose tissue from diet-induced obese mice. It also shows anti-obesity and hypoglycemic properties. TWEAK is a potential regulator of the low-grade chronic inflammation characteristic of obesity. TWEAK levels seem not to be directly related to adiposity, and metabolic factors play a critical role in its regulation. Finally, a strong correlation has been found between plasma NOV/CCN3 concentration and fat mass. This adipokine improves insulin actions.

Serum vaspin level as a predictive indicator in the amelioration of fatty liver and metabolic disturbance in patients with severe obesity after laparoscopic vertical banded gastroplasty

BACKGROUND

This study is all about predicting the value of serum vaspin level in the amelioration of fatty liver and metabolic disturbance in patients with severe obesity after laparoscopic vertical banded gastroplasty (LVBG).

METHODS

A total of 164 patients (from January 2012 to May 2015) with severe obesity were chosen and performed LVBG. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was performed to detect the serum vaspin level. The patients were given a biochemical automatic analyzer to measure the biochemical indicators. Homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) helps in the calculation of fasting insulin level (FINS) and insulin resistance (IR). The changes in fatty liver were examined by computed tomography (CT). Receiver operating characteristic curve is used to increase the predictive value of serum vaspin level in the amelioration of liver function and disturbances in the metabolism.

RESULTS

Weight, BMI, waist circumference, serum vaspin level, and triglyceride (TG) decreased, but CT value of liver increased at 4th, 7th, and 12th month after surgery. After the 7th and 12th month period of surgery, the alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, FINS, and HOMA-IR reduced in the patients (P <.005). The area under ROC curve (AUC) is about 0.871 ± 0.031 with 95%CI of 0.810-0.931 (P <.001). The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of serum vaspin level ≤0.9 were 87.80%, 78.05%, and 83.28%, respectively. BMI, FINS, and serum vaspin level ≤0.9 were the influencing factors of the amelioration of fatty liver and metabolic disturbance.

CONCLUSION

This study proves that the serum vaspin level serves as a predictive indicator in the amelioration of fatty liver and metabolic disturbance in patients with severe obesity after LVBG.

Does Bariatric Surgery Improve Obesity Associated Comorbid Conditions

Obesity is a constantly growing health problem which reduces quality of life and life expectancy. Bariatric surgery for obesity is taken into account when all other conservative treatment modalities have failed. Comparison of the multidisciplinary programs with bariatric surgery regarding to weight loss showed that substantial and durable weight reduction have been achieved only with bariatric surgical treatments. However, the benefits of weight loss following bariatric procedures are still debated regarding the pro-inflammatory and metabolic profile of obesity.

Impact of age on plasma vaspin concentration in a group of normal Chinese people

PURPOSE

Visceral adipose tissue-derived serine protease inhibitor (vaspin) is an adipocytokine with insulin-sensitizing effects. Accumulating data implied that vaspin represents a compensatory mechanism but it is unknown how vaspin change during ageing. This study was designed to examine the correlation between plasma vaspin and age in a group of normal Chinese people.

METHODS

A total of 191 Chinese volunteers aged 19-80 years were enrolled into four groups based upon age quartiles (19-35, 36-50, 51-65 and 66-80 years). Demographic, anthropometric, metabolic covariates, vaspin and adiponectin were measured. The influence of age on plasma vaspin was analysed using SPSS 13.0.

RESULTS

Vaspin increased with ageing, with mean vaspin levels (ng/mL) of 1.01 ± 2.25, 1.67 ± 2.95, 2.05 ± 3.46 and 2.40 ± 3.06 for those between quartile ages 19-35, 36-50, 51-65 and 66-80 years. When divided into subgroups, vaspin increased with increasing age for both sexes, both insulin resistance and non-insulin resistance subjects and both obese and lean subjects. In univariate analyses, vaspin plasma level positively associated with age (r = 0.215, p = 0.003), adiponectin, insulin, homoeostasis model of assessment for insulin resistance index and waist-hip ratio in the whole population. The correlation between ageing and increasing vaspin remained significant after multivariate adjustments for factors such as sex, body mass index, waist-hip ratio, indices of glucose metabolism, white blood cell, lipid profile and adiponectin. Stepwise multiple regression analysis showed that age contributed 7.6 % on plasma vaspin level.

CONCLUSION

Vaspin level increased with ageing, independent of sex, indices of glucose metabolism, lipid profile and other markers of adiposity.

Interleukin-6, vitamin D & diabetes risk-factors modified by a short-term yoga-based lifestyle intervention in overweight/obese individuals

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES

Several diabetes prevention programmes have demonstrated a reduction in incidence of diabetes in individuals with prediabetes through weight loss. Short-term yoga-based lifestyle intervention programmes have also been shown to be efficacious in weight loss. This study was undertaken to investigate if interleukin (IL)-6, vitamin D, neopterin, vaspin, and diabetes risk factors can be modified by a short-term yoga-based lifestyle intervention in overweight/obese subjects.

METHODS

In this pilot study, 34 overweight/obese [body mass index (BMI) ≥ 23 to <35 kg/m [2] per Asian cut-off values] individuals were enrolled, and received directly supervised intervention for 10 days. Thereafter, they were advised to follow this yoga-based lifestyle at home for one month, and were reassessed for study variables at day 30.

RESULTS

There was a reduction from baseline to day 10 in weight ( p <0.001), BMI ( P <0.001), waist/hip-ratio ( P <0.05), blood glucose ( P <0.01), and a significant improvement in lipid profile. There was a decrease in median fasting insulin ( P <0.05), homeostatic model assessment-insulin resistance ( P <0.01), and IL-6 ( Pp <0.05). A non-significant increase in 25-OH-vitamin D, and a decrease in neopterin and vaspin were observed. Twenty subjects returned for follow up assessments. At day 30, weight loss was sustained while systolic blood pressure also showed reduction ( P <0.05). Changes in vitamin D levels were significantly and negatively correlated with changes in weight, BMI and fasting blood glucose, and positively with change in high density lipoprotein. Changes in body weight and BMI significantly and positively correlated with insulin. Changes in IL-6 levels positively and significantly correlated with change in neopterin levels.

INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSIONS

The findings showed that IL-6, vitamin D, and diabetes risk factors were favourably modified by a short-term yoga-based lifestyle intervention in obesity. This study also highlighted the challenges in compliance associated with the follow up of subjects following an aggressive supervised intervention of 10 days.

Is vaspin related to cardio-metabolic status and autonomic function in early stages of glucose intolerance and in metabolic syndrome?

BACKGROUND

This study aims to assess serum vaspin in early stages of glucose intolerance and in the presence of metabolic syndrome (MetS); and to evaluate vaspin correlation to different cardio-metabolic parameters and autonomic tone in these subjects.

METHODS

185 subjects (80 males and 105 females) of mean age 45.8 ± 11.6 years and mean BMI 31.2 ± 6.3 kg/m(2), divided into groups according to: glucose tolerance, presence of MetS and cardio-vascular autonomic dysfunction (CAD), were enrolled. Glucose tolerance was studied during OGTT. Anthropometric indices, blood pressure, HbA1c, serum lipids, hsCRP, fasting immunoreactive insulin and serum vaspin were measured. Body composition was estimated by impedance analysis. AGEs were assessed by skin fluorescence. CAD was assessed by ANX-3.0.

RESULTS

There was no difference in vaspin levels between the groups according to glucose tolerance, presence of MetS, and CAD. Regression analysis revealed independent association between serum vaspin and total body fat in newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes (NDT2D) group, and between serum vaspin and age and total body fat in MetS group. Vaspin negatively correlated with both sympathetic and parasympathetic activity in normal glucose tolerance (NGT) and just with parasympathetic tone in NGT without MetS.

CONCLUSION

Our results demonstrate no overt fluctuations in vaspin levels in the early stages of glucose intolerance and in MetS. Total body fat seems to be related to vaspin levels in MetS and NDT2D. Our data show negative correlation between vaspin and autonomic function in NGT, as vaspin is associated with parasympathetic activity even in the absence of MetS.

Vaspin attenuates the progression of atherosclerosis by inhibiting ER stress-induced macrophage apoptosis in apoE‑/‑ mice

Visceral adipose tissue-derived serine protease inhibitor (vaspin) is a novel adipokine with potential insulin-sensitizing properties, which was initially detected in the visceral adipose tissue of genetically obese rats. Previous studies have demonstrated that vaspin exerts a protective effect on arteries undergoing atherosclerosis in vitro, and it has been shown to exert anti-inflammatory and antimigratory effects on vascular smooth muscle cells. Vaspin promotes proliferation and inhibits apoptosis in endothelial cells, and decreases proliferation of the arterial intima under diabetic conditions. In addition, macrophage apoptosis is an important characteristic of atherosclerotic plaque development. In vivo experiments were performed by histological analysis, including Oil Red O, hematoxylin and eosin and Masson's trichrome staining. Mice were injected with lentivirus via the tail vein and tissues were obtained for histological analysis. Cell apoptosis was determined by flow cytometry of Annexin-V/propidium iodide dual staining and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase deoxyuridine triphosphate nick end labeling assay. Total proteins were extracted and protein expression levels were detected by western blot analysis. The present study aimed to investigate whether vaspin was able to protect against atherosclerotic development in vivo, and to explore the underlying mechanisms of the potential antiatherogenic effects. The results of the current study indicated that vaspin inhibited the progression of atherosclerotic plaques in apoE(‑/‑) mice by inhibiting endoplasmic reticulum stress-induced macrophage apoptosis.

The role of vaspin in the development of metabolic and glucose tolerance disorders and atherosclerosis

In recent years, most research efforts have been focused on studying insulin-sensitizing adipokines. One of the most recently discovered adipokines is vaspin, a visceral adipose tissue-derived serine protease inhibitor. Vaspin levels have been found significantly increased in mice with obesity and insulin resistance. It has been assumed that vaspin serves as an insulin sensitizer with anti-inflammatory effects and might act as a compensatory mechanism in response to decreased insulin sensitivity. Most studies in humans have shown a positive correlation between vaspin gene expression and serum levels, and metabolic syndrome parameters. Vaspin gene expression is influenced by age and gender, and the administration of insulin sensitizers enhances it in mice, whereas the use of metformin decreases serum vaspin levels in humans, probably due to different regulatory mechanisms. Presumably vaspin plays local and endocrine role in the development of initial and advanced atherosclerosis in obese subjects and might be used as a predictor of coronary and cerebrovascular disease. It is believed that vaspin could be regarded as a new link between obesity and related metabolic disorders, including glucose intolerance. The entire understanding of vaspin intimate mechanism of action might enable the development of novel etiology-based treatment strategies, targeting metabolic and glucose tolerance disorders.

Comparative analysis of vaspin in pregnant women with and without gestational diabetes mellitus and healthy non-pregnant women

To explore serum vaspin, leptin, and adiponectin levels and their correlation with insulin resistance (IR) in pregnant women with and without gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and healthy non-pregnant women. A total of 262 individuals, including pregnant women with GDM (n = 86), those without GDM (n = 92), and age-matched healthy non-pregnant women (n = 84) were enrolled in this case-control study. Vaspin, leptin, adiponectin, glucose, insulin, hemoglobin A1C (HbA1c), and lipid parameters were measured. The homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), quantitative insulin sensitivity check index, and body mass index were calculated. Data inferred higher concentrations of vaspin (2.72 ± 2.20 vs. 1.84 ± 1.57 vs. 0.81 ± 1.02) in GDM than during normal pregnancy and in non-pregnant women, higher leptin (23.42 ± 12.18 vs. 22.19 ± 10.55 vs. 12.10 ± 11.26), and lower adiponectin (4,164.83 ± 2,650.39 vs. 4,871.66 ± 2,803.51 vs. 7,202.85 ± 4,893.13) in GDM and normal pregnancy as compared to non-pregnant women (p < 0.05). Vaspin was positively correlated to leptin (r = 0.273, p = 0.012), HOMA-IR (r = 0.387, p = 0.000), and triglycerides (TG, r = 0.218, p = 0.046) in GDM. In addition, leptin was negatively correlated to adiponectin in GDM (r = -0.336, p = 0.002) and normal pregnancy (r = -0.256, p = 0.014). Furthermore, vaspin was significantly correlated to GDM and HOMA-IR, and the weight gain might play a vital role in the occurrence of GDM. During pregnancy, high vaspin concentration is significantly associated with IR in GDM.

Effects of α-lipoic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid in overweight and obese women during weight loss

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the potential body weight-lowering effects of dietary supplementation with eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and α-lipoic acid separately or combined in healthy overweight/obese women following a hypocaloric diet.

METHODS

This is a short-term double-blind placebo-controlled study with parallel design that lasted 10 weeks. Of the randomized participants, 97 women received the allocated treatment [Control, EPA (1.3 g/d), α-lipoic acid (0.3 g/d), and EPA+α-lipoic acid (1.3 g/d+0.3 g/d)], and 77 volunteers completed the study. All groups followed an energy-restricted diet of 30% less than total energy expenditure. Body weight, anthropometric measurements, body composition, resting energy expenditure, blood pressure, serum glucose, and insulin and lipid profile, as well as leptin and ghrelin levels, were assessed at baseline and after nutritional intervention.

RESULTS

Body weight loss was significantly higher (P<0.05) in those groups supplemented with α-lipoic acid. EPA supplementation significantly attenuated (P<0.001) the decrease in leptin levels that occurs during weight loss. Body weight loss improved lipid and glucose metabolism parameters but without significant differences between groups.

CONCLUSIONS

The intervention suggests that α-lipoic acid supplementation alone or in combination with EPA may help to promote body weight loss in healthy overweight/obese women following energy-restricted diets.

Association of vaspin with metabolic syndrome: the pivotal role of insulin resistance

BACKGROUND

Previous studies evaluating the relationship between serum vaspin concentrations and metabolic syndrome (MetS) have yielded contrasting results. Additionally, contribution of general and abdominal obesity, chronic inflammation, and insulin resistance to this relationship remains unknown.

METHODS

In a cross-sectional setting, we investigated the association between vaspin and MetS in 145 subjects ranging from normoglycemia to type 2 diabetes. Vaspin concentrations were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

RESULTS

Women had 29% higher vaspin concentrations compared with men. Subjects with MetS (51% of all participants) had higher vaspin concentrations (P=0.019 in women and P<0.001 in men). In logistic regression, vaspin significantly predicted raised fasting plasma glucose (P<0.001), and raised triglycerides (P<0.001) after controlling for age in both sexes. Moreover, vaspin was the significant predictor for reduced high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and raised waist circumference in women and men, respectively. Considering MetS as a whole, vaspin predicted MetS even after adjustment for age, medications, diabetes, total cholesterol, and waist circumference in both sexes (odds ratio [OR], 3.88; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.36 to 11.05; P=0.011 for women; OR, 3.16; 95% CI, 1.28 to 7.78; P=0.012 for men). However, this relationship rendered nonsignificant after introducing homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) in women (P=0.089) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (P=0.073) or HOMA-IR in men (P=0.095).

CONCLUSION

Vaspin is associated with some but not all components of MetS. Vaspin is a predictor of MetS as a single entity, independent of obesity. This relationship is largely ascribed to the effects of insulin resistance and chronic inflammation.

Serum vaspin levels are associated with physical activity or physical fitness in Japanese: a pilot study

AIM

To investigate the link between serum vaspin levels and physical activity and/or physical fitness in Japanese.

METHODS

A total of 156 subjects (81 men and 75 women) was enrolled in this cross-sectional study. Serum vaspin levels, physical activity by uniaxial accelerometers, peak oxygen uptake, and metabolic risk parameters were evaluated. We also assessed anthropometric and body composition parameters.

RESULTS

Serum vaspin levels were over the level of 10 ng/mL in 15 subjects (9.6 %: Vaspin High group). In Vaspin Low group (<5 ng/mL: 74 men and 67 women), serum vaspin levels were 0.12 ± 0.18 ng/mL in men and 0.39 ± 0.70 ng/mL in women. Peak oxygen uptake was significantly and positively correlated with serum vaspin levels even after adjusting for age, physical activity evaluated by Σ[metabolic equivalents × h per week (METs[Symbol: see text]h/w)], BMI, and other confounding factors in men. In turn, physical activity was significantly and positively correlated with serum vaspin levels even after adjusting for confounding factors in women.

CONCLUSION

Serum vaspin levels were closely associated with physical fitness in men and physical activity in women independent of body composition in this Japanese cohort.

Associations between tissue visfatin/nicotinamide, phosphoribosyltransferase (Nampt), retinol binding protein-4, and vaspin concentrations and insulin resistance in morbidly obese subjects

Visfatin/Nampt, vaspin, and retinol binding protein-4 (RBP-4) play an important role in insulin resistance. The objectives of this study were to measure visfatin/Nampt, vaspin, and RBP-4 concentrations in blood, liver, muscle, subcutaneous, omental, and mesenteric adipose tissues in morbidly obese subjects and investigate their relationship to insulin resistance. Blood and tissue samples were collected from 38 morbidly obese subjects during Roux-en-Y surgery. Insulin resistance biomarkers were measured using standard kits. Visfatin/Nampt, vaspin, and RBP-4 gene expression levels in tissues were measured using real-time PCR. Their protein concentrations in blood and tissues were measured using ELISA kits. Diabetic subjects had significantly higher homeostasis model of assessment-insulin resistance and age and lower blood HDL-cholesterol concentrations than nondiabetic and prediabetic subjects. Diabetic and prediabetic subjects had significantly higher blood concentrations of visfatin/Nampt and vaspin than nondiabetic subjects. Liver RBP-4 concentrations were positively associated with blood glucose concentrations. Blood insulin resistance biomarker levels were positively associated with visfatin/Nampt concentrations in omental adipose tissue and liver, and vaspin concentrations in mesenteric adipose tissue. In conclusion, the correlations of visfatin/Nampt, vaspin, and RBP-4 with insulin resistance are tissue dependent.

Association between serum vaspin level and metabolic syndrome in healthy Korean subjects

BACKGROUND

Visceral obesity is associated with insulin resistance, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. Vaspin [visceral adipose tissue (VAT)-derived serpin] may be a novel adipokine related to obesity and its metabolic consequences.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationships among serum vaspin levels and VAT and the components of metabolic syndrome.

METHODS

A cross-sectional analysis of healthy men (n=97) and women (n=156) for clinical, laboratory, and anthropometric factors was undertaken. Serum vaspin levels were measured. Abdominal VAT and subcutaneous adipose tissue were measured by computed tomography.

RESULTS

Of 253 subjects, 47 (18%) had metabolic syndrome: 33 men (34%) and 14 women (9%). Serum vaspin concentration was significantly lower in men than in women and significantly lower in men with metabolic syndrome than in men without metabolic syndrome. Serum vaspin level tended to decrease with increasing number of metabolic syndrome components, and was negatively correlated with waist circumference, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, serum triglyceride level, and abdominal VAT, but positively correlated with high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level. However, after adjustment for sex, this correlation disappeared.

CONCLUSIONS

Low serum vaspin levels are associated with male gender and metabolic syndrome, particularly in men, and with the majority of metabolic syndrome components.

Visceral adipose tissue-derived serine proteinase inhibitor inhibits apoptosis of endothelial cells as a ligand for the cell-surface GRP78/voltage-dependent anion channel complex

RATIONALE

Visceral adipose tissue-derived serine proteinase inhibitor (vaspin) is an adipokine identified from visceral adipose tissues of genetically obese rats.

OBJECTIVE

The role of vaspin in the diabetic vascular complications remains elusive, and we investigated the effects of vaspin on the vascular function under the diabetic milieu.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Adenovirus carrying the full length of the vaspin gene (Vaspin-Ad) ameliorated intimal proliferation of balloon-injured carotid arteries in diabetic Wistar rats. The expression of Ccl2, Pdgfb, and Pdgfrb genes was significantly reduced by the treatment of Vaspin-Ad. In cuff-injured femoral arteries, the intimal proliferation was ameliorated in vaspin transgenic (Vaspin Tg) mice. The application of recombinant vaspin and Vaspin-Ad promoted the proliferation and inhibited the apoptosis of human aortic endothelial cells. Adenovirus expressing vaspin with calmodulin and streptavidin-binding peptides was applied to human aortic endothelial cells, subjected to tandem tag purification and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, and we identified GRP78 (78-kDa glucose-regulated protein) as an interacting molecule. The complex formation of vaspin, GRP78, and voltage-dependent anion channel on the plasma membrane was confirmed by the immunoprecipitation studies using aortas of Vaspin Tg mice. The binding assay using (125)I-vaspin in human aortic endothelial cells revealed high-affinity binding (dissociation constant = 0.565×10(-9) m) by the treatment of 5 μM thapsigargin, which recruited GRP78 from the endoplasmic reticulum to plasma membrane by inducing endoplasmic reticulum stress. In human aortic endothelial cells, vaspin induced phosphorylation of Akt and inhibited the kringle 5-induced Ca(2+) influx and subsequent apoptosis.

CONCLUSIONS

Vaspin is a novel ligand for the cell-surface GRP78/voltage-dependent anion channel complex in endothelial cells and promotes proliferation, inhibits apoptosis, and protects vascular injuries in diabetes mellitus.

Adipokines in childhood obesity

The worldwide increase in the prevalence of obesity in children and adolescents during the past decades, in addition to mounting evidence indicating that obesity is associated with an increased incidence of comorbidities and the risk of premature death, resulting in a high economical impact, has stimulated obesity-focused research. These studies have highlightened the prominent endocrine activity of adipose tissue, which is exerted through the synthesis and secretion of a wide variety of peptides and cytokines, called adipokines. In the present review, we have summarized the current knowledge and most relevant studies of adipokine dynamics and actions in children, focusing on the control of energy homeostasis, metabolic regulation (particularly, carbohydrate metabolism), and inflammation. The particularities of adipose secretion and actions in healthy children, from birth to adolescence, and the modifications induced by early-onset obesity are highlighted.

Effects of bariatric surgery on adipokine-induced inflammation and insulin resistance

Over a third of the US population is obese and at high risk for developing type 2 diabetes, insulin resistance, and other metabolic disorders. Obesity is considered a chronic low-grade inflammatory condition that is primarily attributed to expansion and inflammation of adipose tissues. Indeed, adipocytes produce and secrete numerous proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines known as adipokines. When the balance of these adipokines is shifted toward higher production of proinflammatory factors, local inflammation within adipose tissues and subsequently systemic inflammation occur. These adipokines including leptin, visfatin, resistin, apelin, vaspin, and retinol binding protein-4 can regulate inflammatory responses and contribute to the pathogenesis of diabetes. These effects are mediated by key inflammatory signaling molecules including activated serine kinases such as c-Jun N-terminal kinase and serine kinases inhibitor κB kinase and insulin signaling molecules including insulin receptor substrates, protein kinase B (PKB, also known as Akt), and nuclear factor kappa B. Bariatric surgery can decrease body weight and improve insulin resistance in morbidly obese subjects. However, despite reports suggesting reduced inflammation and weight-independent effects of bariatric surgery on glucose metabolism, mechanisms behind such improvements are not yet well understood. This review article focuses on some of these novel adipokines and discusses their changes after bariatric surgery and their relationship to insulin resistance, fat mass, inflammation, and glucose homeostasis.

The serum vaspin levels are reduced in Japanese chronic hemodialysis patients

Background

Visceral adipose tissue-derived serine proteinase inhibitor (vaspin) is an adipokine identified in genetically obese rats that correlates with insulin resistance and obesity in humans. Recently, we found that 7% of the Japanese population with the minor allele sequence (A) of rs77060950 exhibit higher levels of serum vaspin. We therefore evaluated the serum vaspin levels in Japanese chronic hemodialysis patients.

Methods

Healthy Japanese control volunteers (control; n = 95, 49.9±6.91 years) and Japanese patients undergoing hemodialysis therapy (HD; n = 138, 51.4±10.5 years) were enrolled in this study, and serum samples were subjected to the human vaspin RIA system.

Results

The measurement of the serum vaspin levels demonstrated that a fraction of control subjects (n = 5) and HD patients (n = 11) exhibited much higher levels (> 10 ng/ml; Vaspin_High group), while the rest of the population exhibited lower levels (< 3 ng/ml; Vaspin_Low group). By comparing the patients in the Vaspin_Low group, the serum vaspin levels were found to be significantly higher in the control subjects (0.87±0.24 ng/ml) than in the HD patients (0.32±0.15 ng/ml) (p < 0.0001). In the stepwise regression analyses, the serum creatinine and triglyceride levels were found to be independently and significantly associated with the vaspin concentrations in all subjects.

Conclusions

The creatinine levels are negatively correlated with the serum vaspin levels and were significantly reduced in the Japanese HD patients in the Vaspin_Low group.

Vaspin is an adipokine ameliorating ER stress in obesity as a ligand for cell-surface GRP78/MTJ-1 complex

It is unknown whether adipokines derived from adipose tissues modulate endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress induced in obesity. Here, we show that visceral adipose tissue-derived serine protease inhibitor (vaspin) binds to cell-surface 78-kDa glucose-regulated protein (GRP78), which is recruited from ER to plasma membrane under ER stress. Vaspin transgenic mice were protected from diet-induced obesity, glucose intolerance, and hepatic steatosis, while vaspin-deficient mice developed glucose intolerance associated with upregulation of ER stress markers. With tandem affinity tag purification using HepG2 cells, we identified GRP78 as an interacting molecule. The complex formation of vaspin, GRP78, and murine tumor cell DnaJ-like protein 1 (MTJ-1) (DnaJ homolog, subfamily C, member 1) on plasma membrane was confirmed by cell-surface labeling with biotin and immunoprecipitation in liver tissues and H-4-II-E-C3 cells. The addition of recombinant human vaspin in the cultured H-4-II-E-C3 cells also increased the phosphorylation of Akt and AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) in a dose-dependent manner, and anti-GRP78 antibodies completely abrogated the vaspin-induced upregulation of pAkt and pAMPK. Vaspin is a novel ligand for cell-surface GRP78/MTJ-1 complex, and its subsequent signals exert beneficial effects on ER stress-induced metabolic dysfunctions.

Association of vaspin gene polymorphisms with coronary artery disease in Chinese population and function study

BACKGROUND

Visceral adipose tissue-derived serine protease inhibitor (vaspin) is a recently identified adipokine. Studies suggest it is involved in many diseases such as obesity, diabetes and coronary artery disease (CAD). This study is to investigate the association of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in vaspin with CAD and its potential mechanisms.

METHODS

A total of 1570 consecutive patients undergoing coronary angiography were enrolled and the genotypes were determined by TaqMan allelic discrimination. Serum vaspin concentrations and mRNA expression levels were determined by ELISA and RT-PCR, respectively. Reporter gene assay was performed to investigate the effect of polymorphism on vaspin promoter function.

RESULTS

After multivariate analysis, allele A of rs2236242 was found as an independent determinant of CAD (OR=1.32, p=0.004). Rs35262691 in vaspin promoter was associated with serum vaspin concentration and mRNA expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) though no association had been found with CAD. Reporter gene assay further confirmed that CC genotype of rs35262691 had 2.1±0.4-fold higher activities than TT genotype in facilitating gene expression.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results show that the variants of vaspin gene are associated with serum vaspin levels and risk for CAD in Chinese population.

Vaspin in obesity and diabetes: pathophysiological and clinical significance

Vaspin (visceral adipose tissue-derived serpin; serpinA12) was originally identified as an adipokine, which is predominantly secreted from visceral adipose tissue in Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima fatty (OLETF), an animal model of obesity and type 2 diabetes. Consistent with that higher vaspin serum concentrations and increased vaspin mRNA expression in human adipose tissue were found to be associated with obesity, insulin resistance, and type 2 diabetes in humans. However, the mechanisms how vaspin secretion may be linked to deterioration of glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity are not entirely understood. Vaspin serum concentrations show a food intake-related diurnal variation. Vaspin is also expressed in the skin, hypothalamus, pancreatic islets, and stomach. Administration of vaspin to obese mice improves glucose tolerance, insulin sensitivity, and reduces food intake. Until now molecular target(s) of vaspin and its mode of action are unknown. Thus, identification of the proteases, which are inhibited by vaspin may lead to the development of novel strategies in the treatment of obesity, diabetes and insulin resistance. This review discusses the clinical relevance of vaspin in the pathophysiology of obesity and type 2 diabetes.

Vaspin plasma concentrations and mRNA expressions in patients with stable and unstable angina pectoris

BACKGROUND

Vaspin was a recently identified adipokine, playing a protective role in many metabolic diseases. The present study aimed to investigate the association between vaspin plasma level and stable angina pectoris (SAP) and unstable angina pectoris (UAP).

METHODS

A total of 88 patients with angiographically-proved coronary artery disease (CAD) (SAP 47, UAP 41) and 103 control subjects without cardiovascular diseases were enrolled in this study. Circulating vaspin, mRNA expression of vaspin in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), clinical parameters, lipid profile and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) were assayed. The severity of CAD was also assessed according to the number of vessels diseased.

RESULTS

There are significant differences in circulating vaspin levels and mRNA levels of PBMC between SAP and UAP groups (SAP 0.91±0.95 ng/mL and UAP 0.43±0.38 ng/mL, p<0.01 in circulating vaspin level; SAP 1.19±0.85 and UAP 0.82±0.56, p<0.05 in mRNA level of PBMC). An inverse correlation between the number of diseased vessels and plasma vaspin concentration was observed (r=-0.350, p<0.01) in the CAD group. Construction of receiver operating characteristic curves confirmed that vaspin plasma concentrations significantly differentiated CAD patients (area under the curve=0.684, p<0.001), as well as UAP (area under the curve=0.640, p<0.05).

CONCLUSION

Decreased vaspin plasma levels and mRNA levels in PBMC were observed in patients with UAP. Low vaspin concentrations correlate with CAD severity. The findings suggested that vaspin could serve as a novel biomarker of CAD as well as UAP.

Lifestyle modification increases circulating adiponectin concentrations but does not change vaspin concentrations

The objective of the study was to evaluate the effects of a 10-month lifestyle intervention on the components of the metabolic syndrome (MetSyn) in Koreans with MetSyn as well as on blood concentrations of adiponectin and vaspin. One hundred thirty-eight patients with MetSyn, recruited from a community health care center, were consecutively enrolled in the study; 12 patients dropped of the intervention, leaving 126 subjects (76 men and 50 women; age, 65.3 ± 9.0 years). All participants followed a 10-month lifestyle modification interventional program, including dietary counseling, advice on increasing physical activity, and recommendations to stop or limit smoking and alcohol drinking. Anthropometric and biochemical parameters related to the components of the MetSyn, including blood concentrations of adiponectin and vaspin, were assessed pre- and postintervention. At baseline, adiponectin concentrations were moderately negatively correlated to insulin concentrations and insulin resistance evaluated by the homeostasis model assessment. In response to lifestyle modification, statistically significant changes were found in systolic and diastolic blood pressure, total cholesterol, triglyceride, and insulin concentrations, as well as in homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance. Adiponectin concentrations postintervention, compared with the preintervention levels, increased (7.2 ± 4.0 vs 6.8 ± 3.9 μg/mL, respectively; P < .05), whereas vaspin concentrations remained unchanged (0.25 ± 0.19 vs 0.26 ± 0.20 ng/mL, respectively; P = .64). A 10-month lifestyle modification program in Korean patients with MetSyn led to favorable changes in metabolic parameters and adiponectin but not vaspin concentrations.

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

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the impact of obesity, weight loss and oral glucose ingestion on serum visfatin and vaspin levels in prepubertal children.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

A total of 100 prepubertal obese Caucasian children (OB) and 42 controls (C) were studied. The OB group was studied at baseline and after moderate (n=46) and extensive (n=14) body mass index (BMI) reduction by conservative treatment, undergoing body composition studies (dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry) and oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTTs). Serum visfatin and vaspin levels were studied throughout the OGTT, as were their relationships with insulin, leptin, leptin soluble receptor (sOB-R), adiponectin (total and high molecular weight), resistin, interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α levels at every time point.

RESULTS

OB had higher visfatin (P<0.001), but similar vaspin than C. BMI reduction decreased visfatin levels (P<0.001), with BMI, waist circumference and the surrogate markers of body fat (leptin and sOB-R) showing significant correlations (P<0.05) with this peptide, but not with vaspin. Visfatin and vaspin decreased during the OGTT (P<0.001). Weight reduction did not alter visfatin dynamics in the OGTT, but decreased the area under the curve (AUC) for vaspin (P<0.001), with a correlation between the AUCs for vaspin and insulin after weight loss (P<0.05). Visfatin levels were positively correlated with resistin and IL-6, after controlling for BMI and HOMA (homeostatic model assessment) index at every time point in the study.

CONCLUSION

Serum visfatin, but not vaspin, levels are influenced by body fat content in obese children, whereas both adipokines are modulated by glucose intake in a BMI-dependent manner.