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The adipokine visfatin is markedly elevated in obese children.

Haider DG, Holzer G, Schaller G, Weghuber D, Widhalm K, Wagner O, Kapiotis S, Wolzt M

Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Austria.

OBJECTIVE: The insulin-mimetic adipocytokine visfatin has been linked to adiposity and the metabolic syndrome. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SUBJECTS: Eighty-three nondiabetic obese children and 40 healthy controls. MEASUREMENTS: 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.

Published 11 October 2006 in J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr, 43(4): 548-9.
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