EVALUATION OF VISFATIN HORMONE LEVEL IN BASRAH OBESE WOMEN

Abstract

Background: Visfatin is an adipokine secreted mainly by visceral adipose tissue and has been linked
to obesity. Visfatin has insulin mimetic properties. Visfatin also play an important role in the
development of several chronic diseases and inflammation.
Aim of the study: To evaluate serum visfatin concentrations in Basrah women of different body
weights to determine the relationships with obesity and diabetes mellites in women in Basrah city.
Methodology: In this study, 60 women of different body weights were chosen between October and
February, from Basrah University staff and students. They were divided into two groups according to
their body mass index (BMI). Anthropometric measurements were recorded for all participants. Blood
samples were collected to assay the biochemical parameters, including the levels of visfatin, insulin,
glucose and lipid profile.
Results: Obese women shows significantly higher visfatin level than lean women. Furthermore, obese
women showed significant increase of total cholesterol (T.C), triglyceride (T.G) and low-density
lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) than lean women. However, obese women had significantly lower
high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) than lean women. Whereas, no significant differences of
glucose and insulin levels between two group.
Conclusions: The results of this study revealed that visfatin levels were increased in obese women.
This suggests that visfatin levels strongly associated with obesity