ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: The adipocyte has recently begun to be considered not just as a fat deposition tissue, but also as a true endocrine organ. Adipose tissue produces a wide variety of adipocytokines, of which visfatin is one. OBJECTIVE: Since visfatin has recently been described as a mimic of insulin action, the authors evaluate visfatin behavior in women undergoing liposuction. MATERIALS: Nineteen nonobese women underwent liposuction of abdominal fat. Patient visfatin levels and a lipid profile were obtained preoperatively, and the results were compared with the results of the same tests immediately postoperatively and one month postoperatively. RESULTS: The mean age of the 19 study participants was 33 years; mean body mass index was 24.7±2.2 kg/m2. The amount of subcutaneous fat obtained was an average of 4468±1403 kg. Visfatin increased from 51.8±24.4 ng/mL preoperatively to 76.3±39.8 ng/mL (P=.02). Pre- and postoperative lipid profiles reflected, respectively, the following: total cholesterol, 159.1±37.1 vs 164.6±31.7 mg/dL (P=.420); high-density cholesterol, 41.4±8.6 vs 39.3±9.9 mg/dL (P=.421); low-density cholesterol, 97.1±25.4 vs 100±19.2 mg/dL (P=.507); and triglycerides, 92.3±57.1 vs 126.3±72.5 mg/dL (P=.058). CONCLUSIONS: Visfatin levels were shown to increase after liposuction of subcutaneous fat. The authors conclude that this adipocyte may play an important role as a regulatory reciprocal mechanism.
