Measuring visfatin levels in saliva: an alternative approach to gestational diabetes screening

ABSTRACT Objective: Oral glucose tolerance testing (OGTT) is the current recommended approach for the diagnosis of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Visfatin is a type of novel adipokine of interest that mostly participates in glucose metabolism and inflammatory processes. We aim to identify a screening technique for GDM using salivary visfatin levels and to establish this technique's value as a screening method compared to OGTT. Materials and methods: This is a cross-sectional case-control study. The cohort was formed from the saliva samples of pregnant patients in their 24th through 28th weeks of gestation. Patients were divided into two groups depending on their GDM status. OGTT and visfatin test results were compared and subjected to further analysis to establish a cutoff value for visfatin testing. Results: ELISA results indicated a significant difference between patients with GDM compared to patients without GDM; the values were 18.89 ± 9.59 and 12.44 ± 8.75, respectively (p: 0.007). A cutoff value of 10.5 ng/mL can be used to detect GDM with 78% sensitivity and 51% specificity. Conclusion: Salivary visfatin levels were significantly higher in patients with GDM. The existence of a differential in the concentration of visfatin in saliva can be utilized to develop a new screening method for GDM.

The role of visfatin levels in gingival crevicular fluid as a potential biomarker in the relationship between obesity and periodontal disease

Abstract Objectives Visfatin is an adipokine that plays an important role in immune functions as a growth factor, enzyme, and pro-inflammatory mediator. We aimed to determine the levels of visfatin, interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) in both obese/non-obese patients, with/without generalized chronic periodontitis (GCP). Methodology Patients were categorized as obese (O) (n=31) or non-obese (nO) (n=19). Groups were divided into four subgroups according to periodontal conditions: (1) periodontally healthy without obesity (nO-Ctrl); (2) GCP without obesity (nO-CP); (3) periodontally healthy with obesity (O-Ctrl); and (4) GCP with obesity (O-CP). Demographic variables, anthropometric and laboratory data were recorded. Periodontal parameters were measured at baseline and 3rd months after either non-surgical periodontal treatment or calorie -restricted diet therapy. At the same time, GCF samples were taken from patients to analyze TNF-alpha, IL-6,and visfatin levels. Results Periodontal parameters were significantly higher in the O group than in the nO group (P<0.05). IL-6 levels were higher in the O group than in the nO group (P<0.001). The visfatin levels of the obese patients were reduceddecreased following the treatments (P<0.05). Cholesterol levels were higher in the O group than in the nO groups (P<0.05). IL-6 levels were higher in O-CP and O-Ctrl groups than in the nO-Ctrl group (P<0.05). Compared to the other groups, visfatin levels were significantly higher in the O-CP group but decreased following treatment (P<0.05). Conclusions Our findings suggest that visfatin and IL-6 levels in GCF are associated with the pathogenesis of obesity and periodontitis. Within the limits of this study, we considered that there might be an association between the lipid profile and periodontitis on systemically healthy individuals.

Resistin and visfatin concentrations are related to central obesity and inflammation in Brazilian children

Background:The evidence that cardiovascular disease begins in childhood and adolescence, especially in the presence of excess weight, is associated with dysfunction on adipokine pro-inflammatory secretion. These affect glucose metabolism and lead to other complications related to insulin resistance and cardiovascular disease. This study assessed the association of anthropometric and metabolic parameters related to obesity, cardiovascular risk,and insulin resistance with concentrations of resistin and visfatin, in children. Methods: A cross-sectional study was developed with 178 children of 6­10 years old enrolled in public city schools. Anthropometric data, composition body, clinical, and biochemical were measured according to standard procedures. We used multiple regression models by stepwise method to evaluate the associations of resistin and visfatin with variables of interest.RESULTS: In healthy weight children, resistin was associated with LDL cholesterol, visfatin, atherogenic index, andwaist-to-height ratio, whereas in obese children resistin was associated with visfatin and interaction between conicity index and HOMA-AD. Furthermore, in healthy weight children, visfatin was associated to resistin and triceps skinfold thickness and negatively associated to HOMA-AD, while in obese ones visfatin was associated with waist-to-height ratio, atherogenic index, resistin, and interaction between trunk adiposity index and adiponectin and wasnegatively associated with the HOMA-IR index.CONCLUSIONS:Our study shows an association between anthropometric and biochemical variables related tovisceral fat and inflammation. These results suggest the resistin and visfatin as good pro-inflammatory markers. In addition, both adipokines are strongly related to central obesity, in children. In addition, both adipokines are strongly related to central obesity, in children.