Circulating Levels of Nesfatin-1 and Spexin in Children with Prader-Willi Syndrome during Growth Hormone Treatment and Dietary Intervention.

BACKGROUND: Despite observable improvement in the treatment outcomes of patients with Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS), adequate weight control is still a clinical problem. Therefore, the aim of this study was to analyze the profiles of neuroendocrine peptides regulating appetite-mainly nesfatin-1 and spexin-in children with PWS undergoing growth hormone treatment and reduced energy intake. METHODS: Twenty-five non-obese children (aged 2-12 years) with PWS and 30 healthy children of the same age following an unrestricted age-appropriate diet were examined. Serum concentrations of nesfatin-1, spexin, leptin, leptin receptor, total adiponectin, high molecular weight adiponectin, proinsulin, insulin-like growth factor-I, and total and functional IGF-binding protein-3 concentrations were determined using immunoenzymatic methods. RESULTS: The daily energy intake in children with PWS was lower by about 30% (p < 0.001) compared with the controls. Daily protein intake was similar in both groups, but carbohydrate and fat intakes were significantly lower in the patient group than the controls (p < 0.001). Similar values for nesfatin-1 in the PWS subgroup with BMI Z-score < -0.5 and the control group, while higher values in the PWS subgroup with BMI Z-score ≥ -0.5 (p < 0.001) were found. Spexin concentrations were significantly lower in both subgroups with PWS than the controls (p < 0.001; p = 0.005). Significant differences in the lipid profile between the PWS subgroups and the controls were also observed. Nesfatin-1 and leptin were positively related with BMI (p = 0.018; p = 0.001, respectively) and BMI Z-score (p = 0.031; p = 0.027, respectively) in the whole group with PWS. Both neuropeptides also correlated positively in these patients (p = 0.042). CONCLUSIONS: Altered profiles of anorexigenic peptides-especially nesfatin-1 and spexin-in non-obese children with Prader-Willi syndrome during growth hormone treatment and reduced energy intake were found. These differences may play a role in the etiology of metabolic disorders in Prader-Willi syndrome despite the applied therapy.

Blood nesfatin-1 levels in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Previous studies have investigated the relationship between nesfatin-1 level and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). However, these studies have produced conflicting results. Thus, in this meta-analysis, we aimed to clarify the association between blood nesfatin-1 levels and PCOS, and the ability of nesfatin-1 as a biomarker in PCOS. Methods: Meta-analysis was performed using STATA 12.0 software. We computed standard mean difference (SMD) and 95% confidence interval (CI) regarding the comparison of blood nesfatin-1 in patients with PCOS and controls. Results: The present meta-analysis showed no significant difference in blood nesfatin-1 level between patients with PCOS and controls with a random effects model (SMD = 0.03; 95%CI: -0.71, 0.77; I2 = 97.1%, p value for Q test < 0.001). Subgroup analysis for different ethnicities reported no significant difference in blood nesfatin-1 level between patients with PCOS and controls in both Caucasian and Asian populations. Subgroup analysis for different sample types reported no significant difference in serum nesfatin-1 level between patients with PCOS and controls. Subgroup studies reported no significant difference in blood nesfatin-1 level between PCOS and controls in both obese and non-obese populations. Conclusion: In conclusion, there is no significant relationship between blood nesfatin-1 levels and PCOS.

Influence of circulating nesfatin-1, GSH and SOD on insulin secretion in the development of T2DM.

Aims: To evaluate the correlation of nesfatin-1, GSH and SOD levels with ß-cell insulin secretion and their influence on insulin secretion in the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Materials and methods: 75 patients with T2DM, 67 with prediabetes and 37 heathy participants were recruited in this study. Serum levels of nesfatin-1, GSH and SOD were quantified and statistically analyzed. Results: The levels of nesfatin-1, GSH and SOD in T2DM were significantly decreased (P < 0.001) compared to either in prediabetes or in healthy control, and significant reduction of these biomarkers was also observed in prediabetes when compared to the control (P < 0.001). Circulating nesfatin-1, GSH and SOD were not only strongly correlated with ß-cell insulin secretion, but also exerted remarkable influence on the secretion. Conclusion: Serum nesfatin-1, GSH and SOD are important factors involving insulin secretion in the development of T2DM, which may help provide new ideas for forthcoming investigations on the roles of these factors in pathogenesis of T2DM, as well as for active prediction and prevention of prediabetes before it develops into overt T2DM.

Expression of Serum PSA, Nesfatin-1, and AMH in Patients with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.

Insulin resistance and hyperandrogenism are the leading causes of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Therefore, it has great significance to study the expression levels of PSA, nesfatin-1, and AMH. To provide some reference for clinical diagnosis and treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), the expression levels of PSA, nesfatin-1, and AMH in serum of patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) were investigated. The experimental group consisted of 200 patients with polycystic ovary syndrome treated in Shanghai Huashan Hospital from July 2018 to July 2019. The control group consisted of 150 healthy women without pregnancy. The PSA, nesfatin-1, and AMH levels in serum were detected by chemiluminescence immunoassay (CLIA) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The serum levels of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) were 16.53 ± 0.67pg/ml and 10.75 ± 4.02pg/ml in the experimental group (PCOS patients), which were significantly higher than those in the control group (3.27 ± 0.43pg/ml and 5.18 ± 1.84pg/ml, respectively), while the inhibitive factors in the experimental group (1.89 ± 0.99mg/ml) were significantly higher than those in the control group (1.10 ± 0.97mg/ml). There was no significant difference in nesfatin-1. The levels of PSA and nesfatin-1, nesfatin-1, and AMH and the levels of PSA and AMH in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome were positively correlated, and the differences were statistically significant. The levels of PSA, nesfatin-1, and AMH in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome of different ages were different, and the differences were significant and negatively correlated with the age increasing. PSA, nesfatin-1, and AMH levels in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome were significantly different from those in control nonpregnant women. There was a certain correlation between the levels of PSA, nesfatin-1, and AMH, and age. The results have specific clinical reference significance for the diagnosis and treatment of patients with polycystic ovary syndrome.

The Role of the Gastric Hormones Ghrelin and Nesfatin-1 in Reproduction.

Ghrelin and nesfatin-1 are enteroendocrine peptide hormones expressed in rat X/A-like and human P/D1cells of the gastric mucosa. Besides their effect on food intake, both peptides are also implicated in various other physiological systems. One of these is the reproductive system. This present review illustrates the distribution of ghrelin and nesfatin-1 along the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis, their modulation by reproductive hormones, and effects on reproductive functions as well as highlighting gaps in current knowledge to foster further research.

Plasma nesfatin-1 and DDP-4 levels in patients with coronary artery disease: Kozani study.

BACKGROUND: Nesfatin-1, a novel adipokine and dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP4), a mam malian serine protease, are potent factors of atherosclerosis. In the present cross-sectional study, we investigated whether the plasma nesfatin-1 and DPP4 is associated with the prevalence and severity of coronary artery disease (CAD) with and without diabetes mellitus (DM). METHODS: We consecutively enrolled a total of 240 patients with significant CAD (previous revascularization or angiographically-proven coronary artery stenosis > 50%) presented with either unstable angina (UA, N = 76) or stable chronic CAD (SCAD, N = 165). 85 patients with at least 2 classical cardiovascular risk factors but without significant CAD served as controls. The severity of CAD was assessed using coronary angiography by the Gensini score. Clinical parameters, glycemic and lipid profile, high-sensitivity CRP (hsCRP), nesfatin-1 and DPP4 levels were assayed. RESULTS: No differences were found for age, sex, hypertension and diabetes distribution between groups. Low nesfatin-1 levels were found in both CAD groups (UA & SCAD) with respect to controls. The difference between UA and SCAD groups was marginally non-significant. There was a significant increase of DPP4 along UA to SCAD and control groups. Differences between groups remained unchanged in non-diabetic participants. Nesfatin-1 significantly correlated to hsCRP (r = - 0.287, p = 0.036), HOMA-IR (r = - 0.587, p = 0.007) and hyperlipidemia (r = - 0.331, p = 0.034). DPP4 was significantly associated with hs-CRP (r = 0.353 p < 0.001) and FPG (r = 0.202, p = 0.020) in univariate analysis, but those correlations were lost in multiple regression analysis. There was a negative correlation between nesfatin-1 and the severity of CAD, quantified by the Gensini score (r = - 0.511, p < 0.001), but no association was found for DPP4. CONCLUSIONS: Serum DPP4 levels are increased in patients with CAD, while serum nesfatin-1 levels have a negative association with both the incidence and the severity of CAD. These results are independent of the presence of diabetes mellitus. In addition, both peptides have a strong association with hsCRP. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00306176.

Correlation analysis of IGF-1, ZAG, nesfatin-1, HbA1c levels, and type 2 diabetes mellitus complicated with hypothyroidism.

ABSTRACT: To analyze the correlation between IGF-1, ZAG, nesfatin-1, HbA1c levels, and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) complicated with hypothyroidism.Fifty-five patients with type-2 diabetes who were admitted to our hospital from August 2018 to February 2020 were selected as the control group, and 55 patients with type 2 diabetes combined with hypothyroidism who were admitted to the hospital at the same period were selected as the combined group, and 56 patients who came to our hospital for physical examination at the same period were selected as the healthy group. The general clinical data and relevant laboratory indexes of all patients in the three groups were collected and statistically analyzed. Besides, the correlation between IGF-1, ZAG, nesfatin-1, HbA1c levels, and T2DM complicated with hypothyroidism was analyzed.Levels of FPG, FINS, TC, TG, LDL, 2hPBG, TPOAb, TgAb, and HOMA-IR in the diabetes group and combined group were all significantly higher than those in the healthy group, while HDL and T4 levels in the diabetes group and combined group were lower than those in the healthy group (P < .05). The levels of FPG, FINS, TC, TG, LDL, 2hPBG, TPOAb, and TgAb in the combined group were significantly higher than those in the diabetes group (P < .05), and the levels of HDL and T4 were lower than those in the diabetes group. In addition, the IGF-1 level was positively correlated with ZAG, nesfatin-1, and HbA1c levels in the combined group (P < .05), and IGF-1 (OR: 0.964, 95% CI: 0.943-0.983, P = .001), ZAG (OR: 1.298, 95% CI: 1.121-1.401, P = .005), nesfatin-1 (OR: 0.876, 95% CI: 0.751-0.901, P = .002), and HbA1c (OR: 1.321, 95% CI: 1.121-1.401, P = .012) were independent risk factors for T2DM complicated with hypothyroidism.Regular detection of IGF-1, ZAG, nesfatin-1, and HbA1c levels are of great value for the diagnosis and treatment of patients with T2DM complicated with hypothyroidism.

Effects of curcumin administration on Nesfatin-1 levels in blood, brain and fat tissues of diabetic rats.

OBJECTIVE: We evaluated the efficacy of curcumin administration on blood glucose levels and its relationship with nesfatin-1 levels in blood brain and adipose tissue of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 28 male rats were divided into four groups: control group, type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) group, control plus curcumin group and type 2DM plus curcumin group. After fifteen days, blood samples were collected from sacrificed rats. Nesftain-1 levels were analysed from blood, brain, and fat tissues of rats in all groups. RESULTS: Nesfatin-1 level was found to be significantly lower in blood, brain and fat tissues of type 2 DM rats compared to the control group. A significant decrease in fasting blood glucose levels was observed in the curcumin administration group compared to type 2 DM group. Improvement of fasting blood glucose level was accompanied by improvement of nesfatin-1 levels in blood, brain, and fat tissues. CONCLUSIONS: As expected, curcumin administration caused significant improvement in fasting blood glucose levels. However, for the first time, we found marked improvements in nesfatin-1 levels in blood, brain, and fat tissues of type 2 DM rats. Thus, considering the crucial role of nesfatin-1 in regulation of glucose metabolism, it is logical to expect an interactive relationship between curcumin and nesfatin-1.

Evaluation of Appetite-Regulating Hormones in Young Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

This study aimed to investigate the role of leptin, ghrelin, neuropeptide Y, and nesfatin-1 in young children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). A total of 44 children with ASD and 44 healthy controls aged 18-60 months were included. Plasma levels of hormones were measured using commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. Plasma leptin and ghrelin levels were significantly higher in the ASD group than in the control group. However, no significant difference for plasma neuropeptide Y and nesfatin-1 levels was detected between the groups. No relation was found between the severity of ASD symptoms, severity of eating problems, and plasma levels of hormones. Leptin and ghrelin may play a potential role in the pathogenesis of ASD.

Effect of Acute Sprint Exercise on Myokines and Food Intake Hormones in Young Healthy Men.

Physical exercise is known to influence hormonal mediators of appetite, but the effect of short-term maximal intensity exercise on plasma levels of appetite hormones and cytokines has been little studied. We investigated the effect of a 30 s Wingate Test, followed by a postprandial period, on appetite sensations, food intake, and appetite hormones. Twenty-six physically active young males rated their subjective feelings of hunger, prospective food consumption, and fatigue on visual analogue scales at baseline, after exercise was completed, and during the postprandial period. Blood samples were obtained for the measurement of nesfatin-1, ghrelin, leptin, insulin, pancreatic polypeptide (PP), human growth factor (hGH) and cytokine interleukin-6 (IL-6), irisin and plasma lactate concentrations, at 30 min before exercise, immediately (210 s) after exercise, and 30 min following a meal and at corresponding times in control sedentary males without ad libitum meal intake, respectively. Appetite perceptions and food intake were decreased in response to exercise. Plasma levels of irisin, IL-6, lactate, nesfatin-1 and ghrelin was increased after exercise and then it was returned to postprandial/control period in both groups. A significant rise in plasma insulin, hGH and PP levels after exercise was observed while meal intake potentiated this response. In conclusion, an acute short-term fatiguing exercise can transiently suppress hunger sensations and food intake in humans. We postulate that this physiological response involves exercise-induced alterations in plasma hormones and the release of myokines such as irisin and IL-6, and supports the notion of existence of the skeletal muscle-brain-gut axis. Nevertheless, the detailed relationship between acute exercise releasing myokines, appetite sensations and impairment of this axis leading to several diseases should be further examined.

Copeptin and Nesfatin-1 Are Interrelated Biomarkers with Roles in the Pathogenesis of Insulin Resistance in Chinese Children with Obesity.

BACKGROUND: Copeptin and nesfatin-1 have recently been identified as novel peptides that play a role in the pathogenesis of obesity-related insulin resistance in adults. However, the relationship between them has not yet been elucidated, and their circulating levels in children with obesity have not been adequately studied. Therefore, the current study aimed to investigate whether their levels are altered in Chinese children with obesity, as well as to determine the correlation of these 2 peptides with each other, with insulin resistance, and with other biochemical parameters. METHODS: A total of 156 children were enrolled in this study, including 101 children with obesity and 55 lean controls. Anthropometric parameters and clinical data of all subjects were collected, and circulating tumor necrosis factor-α, adiponectin, leptin, copeptin, and nesfatin-1 levels were measured using ELISA. RESULTS: Serum copeptin and nesfatin-1 levels were significantly elevated in children with obesity and children with insulin resistance compared to control subjects. In addition, nesfatin-1 and copeptin levels were found to be significantly positively correlated with one another by Pearson's correlation and partial correlation. In multiple regression analysis using nesfatin-1 or copeptin as the dependent parameter, a significant correlation was observed between nesfatin-1 and copeptin, and associations between each of them with homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) were detected. CONCLUSION: These novel findings shed light on the possible interplay role of these 2 molecules in obesity-related insulin resistance.

Restraint stress affects circulating NUCB2/nesfatin-1 and phoenixin levels in male rats.

The two peptides phoenixin and nesfatin-1 are colocalized in hypothalamic nuclei involved in the mediation of food intake and behavior. Phoenixin stimulates food intake and is anxiolytic, while nesfatin-1 is an anorexigenic peptide shown to increase anxiety and anhedonia. Interestingly, central activation of both peptides can be stimulated by restraint stress giving rise to a role in the mediation of stress. Thus, the aim of the study was to test whether also peripheral circulating levels of NUCB2/nesfatin-1 and phoenixin are altered by restraint stress. Male ad libitum fed Sprague Dawley rats equipped with a chronic intravenous catheter were subjected to restraint stress and plasma levels of NUCB2/nesfatin-1, phoenixin and cortisol were measured over a period of 240 min and compared to levels of freely moving rats. Peripheral cortisol levels were significantly increased in restrained rats at 30, 60, 120 and 240 min compared to controls (p < 0.05). In contrast, restraint stress decreased plasma phoenixin levels at 15 min compared to unstressed conditions (0.8-fold, p < 0.05). Circulating NUCB2/nesfatin-1 levels were increased only at 240 min in restrained rats compared to those in unstressed controls (1.3-fold, p < 0.05). In addition, circulating NUCB2/nesfatin-1 levels correlated positively with phoenixin levels (r = 0.378, p < 0.001), while neither phoenixin nor nesfatin-1 were associated with cortisol levels (r = 0.0275, and r=-0.143, p> 0.05). These data suggest that both peptides, NUCB2/nesfatin-1 and phoenixin, are affected by restraint stress, although less pronounced than circulating cortisol.

Increased serum nesfatin-1 levels in patients with acromegaly.

Nesfatin-1 was identified as a satiety factor involved in the regulation of metabolism. Altered levels of circulating nesfatin-1 had been observed in a variety of diseases characterized by energy imbalance. However, there was no published data about nesfatin-1 levels in acromegaly.We evaluated serum nesfatin-1 levels in 13 patients with acromegaly at baseline and postoperatively, and in 21 age- and body mass index (BMI)-matched healthy subjects.Compared with the healthy subjects, patients with acromegaly had significantly increased levels of serum insulin, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglyceride, and growth hormone (GH). Moreover, the acromegaly group had nesfatin-1 levels higher than controls (1.96 ±â€Š0.56 ng/mL vs 0.61 ±â€Š0.10 ng/mL, P = .004). There was a positive correlation of serum nesfatin-1 levels with diastolic blood pressure (r = 0.579, P = .038) and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) (r = 0.598, P = .031) in patients with acromegaly. While a successful surgery decreased serum GH levels, the serum nesfatin-1 levels did not change in acromegaly (P = .965). At last, we compared serum GH/nesfatin-1 levels with predictive markers for aggressive behaviors in pituitary adenomas. There was no relationship between serum nesfatin-1 levels and tumor's size, Ki-67 index, mutant p53, or MGMT proteins. However, increased serum GH levels were positively correlated with tumors' size (P = .023) and mutant p53 proteins expression (P = .028).Circulating nesfatin-1 was increased in acromegaly, which was involved in metabolism regulation.

Circulating FABP4, nesfatin-1, and osteocalcin concentrations in women with gestational diabetes mellitus: a meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Recent studies have investigated the circulating adipocyte fatty acid binding protein (FABP4), nesfatin-1, and osteocalcin (OC) concentrations in women diagnosed with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), but the findings prove to be conflicting. The objective of this research was to systematically assess the relationship of circulating levels of above adipokines with GDM. METHODS: Pubmed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane library, OVID, and Scopus were performed to locate articles published up to January 31, 2020. Pooled standard mean differences (SMDs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs), and 95% predictive intervals (PIs) were calculated by random-effects models to compare levels of adipokines between GDM cases and control groups. Cumulative and single-arm meta-analyses were also performed. RESULTS: Thirty-one studies comprising 4590 participants were included. No significant differences were found between GDM women and healthy controls in circulating nesfatin-1 levels (4.56 vs. 5.02 ng/mL; SMD = - 0.11, 95% CI -0.61-0.38, 95% PI -1.63-1.41). Nevertheless, circulating FABP4 and OC levels observed in GDM women outnumbered normal controls (FABP4, 23.68 vs. 16.04 ng/mL; SMD = 2.99, 95% CI 2.28-3.69, 95% PI 0.28-5.71; OC, 52.34 vs. 51.04 ng/mL; SMD = 0.68, 95% CI 0.31-1.05, 95% PI -0.48-1.84). The cumulative meta-analysis showed that the SMDs of circulating FABP4 and OC levels had stabilized between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Elevated circulating FABP4 and OC levels were observed in GDM women, but nesfatin-1 levels did not change, the PI of OC crossed the no-effect threshold. The results suggested that FABP4 is more suitable as a biomarker of GDM compared to OC in a future study, which is useful in identifying pregnant women who are likely to develop GDM and providing prompt management strategies.

Serum levels of nesfatin-1 and irisin in obese children.

Along with the developing technology in the modern age, physical activity had decreased considerably in children and adolescents alike with a concomittant and rapid increase in the prevalence of childhood obsesity. The purpose of the present study is to measure the levels of serum nesfatin-1 and irisin in obese children. The present study was carried out with a total of 62 children, including 32 obese children diagnosed between June 2017 and October 2017 and 30 healthy children. Serum nesfatin-1, irisin, SOD, MDA, fasting blood glucose, total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), HDL-C, LDL-C, aspartate amino transferase (AST), alanine amino transferase (ALT)), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), C-reactive protein (CRP), calcium (Ca), sodium (Na), potassium (P), chromium (Cr), ferritin, and vitamin B12 data were collected for each patient. In our study, mean nesfatin-1 and SOD values of the obesity group were lower than those of the control group (p <0.05, p <0.001), whereas irisin and MDA values were higher than those of the control group (p <0.001). Childhood obesity is still a significant global problem, despite increased social awareness and numerous preventive healthcare interventions. We believe that all the prospective studies to be carried out to evaluate the relationship between obesity-irisin-nesfatin-1 triad, will make positive contributions to treatment of obesity.

Nesfatin 1: a promising biomarker predicting successful reperfusion after coronary artery bypass surgery.

OBJECTIVES: Nesfatin-1 is an antiiflammatory, antiapoptotic, and anorexigenic peptide that has many roles in cardiomyocyte metabolism and viability. Inflammation plays an important role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the alterations in serum nesfatin-1 levels of the patients undergoing coronary artery bypass operation due to atherosclerotic coronary artery disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 49 patients (30 men, 19 women) undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery. Serum nesfatin-1 levels were measured from venous blood samples of the patients collected before and three months after the operation. The relationship of nesfatin-1 levels with accompanying conditions was also analyzed. RESULTS: Nesfatin-1 levels at third month, postoperatively, were significantly higher than preoperative nesfatin-1 levels of the patients (41.94±13.90 pg/ml and 27.06±8.01pg/ml, respectively; p<0.001). Both preoperative and postoperative nesfatin-1 levels were negatively correlated with age (p<0.001). The postoperative increase in nesfatin-1 levels was significantly higher in diabetic patients than in nondiabetic patients (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: This study revealed that serum nesfatin-1 levels increased significantly in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass operation. Nesfatin-1 level may have a role in assessing myocardial perfusion during the follow-up of these patients (Tab. 4, Fig. 4, Ref. 25).

Relationship of spontaneous subarachnoid haemorrhage and cerebral aneurysm to serum Visfatin and Nesfatin-1 levels.

OBJECTIVES: Visfatin and nesfatin are recently discovered peptides that play a role in various metabolic reactions exhibiting inflammatory and neuroprotective effects, and their levels are known to increase in cerebral ischaemia and haematomas. Inflammation plays a role in the development of aneurysm, and spontaneous subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) is typically caused by rupture of the aneurysmal sac because of the increased inflammation. In the present study, we investigated the relationship between serum visfatin and nesfatin levels and the clinical and radiological findings in patients with SAH. PATIENTS AND METHOD: Overall, 62 patients with spontaneous SAH who were followed-up in our clinic between September 2018 and July 2019 and 35 healthy patients who presented to our outpatient clinic with complaints of back, lumbar and neck pain were included in the study. ELISA method was used to study the visfatin and nesfatin levels in the serum samples of both groups. The visfatin and nesfatin levels of patients with spontaneous SAH were compared with the healthy population. In addition, the relationship between visfatin and nesfatin levels and the radiological and clinical findings of patients with spontaneous SAH were also investigated. All findings were evaluated statistically. RESULTS: The median nesfatin and mean visfatin levels were higher in patients with SAH compared with the control group. The median nesfatin and mean visfatin levels were higher in patients with aneurysm than those without aneurysm. A positive correlation was observed between aneurysm length and nesfatin and visfatin levels. In patients with perimesencephalic haemorrhage, the mean visfatin level was determined to be lower compared with patients with classical aneurysmatic SAH, and the median nesfatin level did not differ significantly. The cut-off value of nesfatin for predicting SAH in patients compared with controls was >598.4 with 82.8 % sensitivity and 80 % specificity (P <  0.001). The cut-off value of visfatin for predicting SAH was >10.3 with 85.3 % sensitivity and 91.4 % specificity (P <  0.001). The diagnostic performance of visfatin and nesfatin levels was similar in predicting SAH. CONCLUSION: In the present study, we demonstrated that the presence of aneurysm, size of aneurysm, number of aneurysms correlate with visfatin and nesfatin levels in patients with SAH, and visfatin and nesfatin may be biomarkers for predicting SAH and presence of aneurysm. Nonetheless, future studies can include patients with unruptured aneurysm and investigate their serum visfatin and nesfatin levels to prove whether visfatin and nesfatin can serve as biomarkers in the follow-up of these patients.

Evidence of a Relationship Between Plasma Leptin, Not Nesfatin-1, and Craving in Male Alcohol-Dependent Patients After Abstinence.

The goal of this study was to determine whether the plasma leptin, nesfatin-1, cortisol, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and inflammatory cytokines could be used as potential biomarkers for the degree of craving in the alcohol-dependent patients after 1 month of abstinence. A total of 83 patients with alcohol use disorder (AUD) and 61 healthy subjects were assessed. Patients with AUD were selected from Department of Material Dependence, Anhui Mental Health Center, and subjects in the control group were selected from healthy volunteers. The Alcohol Urge questionnaire Scale (AUQ) was used to evaluate the extent of craving for alcohol, and the Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test (MAST), the Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND), the Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS), and the Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS) were also assessed in patients with AUD. Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) was used for the measurement of plasma leptin, nesfatin-1, cortisol, BDNF, Interleukin-6 (IL-6), C-reactive protein (CRP), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) levels. Compare with healthy controls, the average leptin, leptin/BMI, IL-6, CRP, and TNF-α levels in patients with AUD were significantly increased, while the BDNF levels were significantly decreased. Moreover, the partial correlational analysis showed that the AUQ scores of the alcohol-dependent patients were positively correlated with the plasma leptin levels (r = 0.613, P < 0.001), rather than nesfatin-1 (r = 0.066, P = 0.569) after controlling for age as covariate. Furthermore, plasma nesfatin-1 levels were found to be correlated with the SDS scores (r = 0.366, P = 0.001) in the AUD group. In addition, plasma leptin levels were positively associated with the plasma IL-6 (r = 0.257, P = 0.033), CRP (r = 0.305, P = 0.011), and TNF-α (r = 0.311, P = 0.009) levels, and negatively associated with the BDNF levels (r = -0.245, P = 0.042) in patients with AUD. These results suggest that plasma leptin, but not nesfatin-1, might be a potential biomarker for the degree of craving in alcohol-dependent patients after 1 month of abstinence, the mechanism of which might be related to the dysfunction of the inflammatory cytokines and BDNF levels.

The Performance of Nesfatin-1 in Distinguishing Irritable Bowel Syndrome Presenting Predominantly with Diarrhea from Celiac Disease.

BACKGROUND: We hypothesized that nesfatin-1, an anti-inflammatory peptide, could be used as a non-invasive diagnostic tool in the identification of celiac disease (CD) and irritable bowel syndrome presenting predominantly with diarrhea (IBS-D). METHODS: Thirty-five patients with IBS-D who met the Rome III criteria, 28 patients with celiac disease who met the diagnostic criteria of the Marsh-Oberhuber classification, and 30 age- and gender-matched healthy controls were included in this cross-sectional study. All subjects responded to the IBS Severity Scoring System (IBS-SSS) questionnaire that was used to determine pain severity, pain frequency, bloating, dissatisfaction with bowel habits, and life interference. RESULTS: Nesfatin-1 levels were significantly higher in the CD group compared to the IBS-D group and healthy controls. Nesfatin-1 was also higher in the IBS-D group compared to controls. Nesfatin-1 levels were correlated with IBS-SSS (r = 0.884, p < 0.001), severity of abdominal pain and discomfort (r = 0.644, p < 0.001), and C-reactive protein concentrations (r = 0.303, p = 0.004). ROC curve analysis demonstrated that a cutoff value of > 98.1 pg/mL for nesfatin-1 could discriminate subjects with CD from those with IBS-D and also healthy controls with a sensitivity of 82% and a specificity of 80%. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study show that subjects with CD have higher nesfatin-1 levels compared to those with IBS-D or to the healthy controls. Moreover, nesfatin-1 can discriminate subjects with CD from those with IBS-D and also healthy controls, with high sensitivity and specificity. Further studies with histopathological evaluation are required to clearly address the role of nesfatin-1 in the diagnosis of CD.