Differential Significance of Plasma Visfatin Concentrations according to Adiposity in Children and Adolescents

<b><i>Background/Aims:</i></b> Visfatin is an adipocytokine predominantly expressed in visceral adipose tissue. We examined the relationship between plasma visfatin concentrations and anthropometric and metabolic parameters in children and adolescents, who are relatively less influenced by the effects of accompanying disease. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> We studied 135 children and adolescents (8-16 years old). Plasma glucose, insulin, lipid profile, visfatin and other adipocytokine levels were measured. CT scans were performed to evaluate the distribution of abdominal fat. We analyzed the relationship between circulating visfatin levels and anthropometric and metabolic parameters according to central adiposity (total abdominal fat by CT scan). <b><i>Results:</i></b> In the lower-adiposity group, plasma visfatin concentrations were significantly correlated with total abdominal fat, visceral fat, subcutaneous abdominal fat, plasma triglyceride level and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). In a multiple linear regression analysis, visceral fat and triglycerides were independently associated with plasma visfatin levels. In the higher-adiposity group, plasma visfatin concentrations were not correlated with visceral fat or HOMA-IR but were significantly correlated with circulating interleukin-6 levels. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> These data suggest that the relationship between plasma visfatin concentrations and metabolic parameters differs according to central adiposity and that plasma visfatin concentrations are correlated with visceral fat and triglyceride levels, especially in children and adolescents with lower adiposity.