The circulating PBEF/NAMPT/visfatin level is associated with a beneficial blood lipid profile

Pflugers Arch. 2007 Sep;454(6):971-6. doi: 10.1007/s00424-007-0262-y. Epub 2007 Apr 12.

Abstract

Visfatin with the official gene name pre-B cell colony-enhancing factor 1 (PBEF) and the protein name nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT) is a recently discovered adipocyte-secreted protein that was shown by some to be associated with visceral fat and insulin resistance. To explore the link between PBEF/NAMPT/visfatin and lipid metabolism, we analyzed the relation of its plasma level with several parameters of adiposity, insulin resistance and the circulating blood lipid profile in a group of general population (n = 40) and a group of subjects who are genetically predisposed to insulin resistance and hyperlipidemia (n = 35). In both groups and pooled cohort, PBEF/NAMPT/visfatin lacked association with whole body adiposity, but correlated positively with HDL-cholesterol and negatively with triglycerides. The data suggested a negative correlation of the PBEF level with visceral fat and insulin resistance. But this negative correlation completely disappeared after adjustment for lipid profile. We concluded that circulating PBEF/NAMPT/visfatin level is an indicator of beneficial lipid profile in non-diabetic Caucasian subjects. The relation to lipid metabolism does not depend on visceral obesity and insulin resistance, but may be linked to its enzymatic function in NAD metabolism.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adiposity / physiology
  • Adult
  • Body Height / physiology
  • Body Mass Index
  • Body Weight / physiology
  • Cholesterol, HDL / blood
  • Cytokines / metabolism*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hyperlipidemia, Familial Combined / genetics
  • Hyperlipidemia, Familial Combined / metabolism
  • Insulin Resistance
  • Lipids / blood*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Nicotinamide Phosphoribosyltransferase / metabolism*
  • Triglycerides / blood

Substances

  • Cholesterol, HDL
  • Cytokines
  • Lipids
  • Triglycerides
  • Nicotinamide Phosphoribosyltransferase
  • nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase, human