[Serum visfatin concentration in patients with metabolic syndrome]

Recent studies indicate that Visfatin, a newly identified adipocytokine, may have potential proinflammatory effects. Since, the relationship between serum visfatin levels and metabolic syndrome [MetS] has not been established, the aim of this study was to explore the association between serum visfatin levels and anthropometric variables and the metabolic syndrome. Thirty-seven patients with MetS and 37 age matched controls [mean age 46.35 +/- 1.6 years] were included. Metabolic syndrome in patients was defined based on the 2005 criteria of the International Diabetes Federation, and anthropometric and biochemical profiles were documented. Serum Visfatin was measured using an enzyme immunoassay [EIA] kit. Using the t-test, data were compared between groups and Pearson's correlation coefficient was used to evaluate the relationship between continuous variables. P values <0.05 were considered as statistically significant. Serum Visfatin level was significantly lower in metabolic syndrome patients [P<0. 05] compared controls, log visfatin: 1.74 +/- 0.27 nanogram/ml vs. 1.86 +/- 0.13 nanogram/ml, respectively. There was no significant correlation between serum visfatin levels and any anthropometric or any metabolic parameters in patients with metabolic syndrome or the control group. The results of this study showed that serum visfatin level was decreased in patients with MetS, indicating that Visfatin cannot be considered as a new proinflammatory adipocytokine for the metabolic syndrome

[Sex hormones, leptin and anthropometric indices in men]

In this study, relationship of sex hormones, leptin and anthropometric indices in men were investigated and effect of average weight loss on these variances in obese individuals was assessed. In 186 adult men with median age 33 years [22-49], body mass index [BMI] 27 kg/m[2] [18-43] and weight of 80.1 +/- 13.8 kg, serum level of total testosterone, sex hormone binding globulin [SHBG], dehydroepiandrosterne sulfate [DHEA-S], Estradiol, LH,FSH, Insulin, leptin, DMI and waist to hip ratio [WHR] were measured and effect of weight toss on these variances in a group of 22 obese men with average weight of 88.7 +/- 14 kg were studied. Serum testosterone and SHBG levels were inversely related with BMI [r=0.18, P<0.05 and r=-0.33, p<0.001, respectively]. Serum level of SHBG was also negatively related to WHR [r=0.35, p<0.001]. Serum leptin levels were positively correlated with BMI [r=0.68, p<0.001] and were negatively related to serum level of testosterone [r=-0.57, p<0.009]. Serum level of testosterone and SHBG were significantly lower in obese than normal weight subjects [11.9 +/- 3.8 vs 13.9 +/- 4.2 nmol/l, p<0.009 and 17.0 +/- 13.9 vs 28.0 +/- 14.2 nmol/l, p<0.001 respectively]. Mean weight loss of 6.1 kg resulted in serum leptin reduction from 11.8 +/- 7.8 to 7.6 +/- 3 ng/ml [p<0.01]. In multiple regression analysis serum leptin levels were the only determinant of serum testosterone, while leptin variations were explained both by leptin and testosterone. In Conclusion, elevated serum leptin and low testosterone and SHBG levels were associated with high BMI in men. Low serum testosterone levels were related to high serum leptin, independent of BMI. Inverse relation between serum leptin and testosterone shows the role of leptin in reducing serum testosterone in obese men. In this study serum level of SHBG was negatively correlated with WHR