Plasma nesfatin-1 levels are increased in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome

J Endocrinol Invest. 2014 Aug;37(8):715-719. doi: 10.1007/s40618-014-0089-2. Epub 2014 Jun 12.

Abstract

Background: Nesfatin-1 is a recently discovered neuropeptide derived from its precursor nucleobindin-2 (NUCB2) and has been implicated in the regulation of feeding and energy metabolism. It is located in the brain and also produced at the periphery and present in the plasma. However, its pathophysiological role in humans remains unknown. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is commonly presented with obesity, insulin resistance, hyperandrogenemia and hirsutism.

Aim: To characterize serum nesfatin-1 levels in PCOS women and determine association of nesfatin-1 with metabolic parameters.

Materials and methods: It is a cross-sectional study of 55 PCOS and 28 healthy women matched in age, in a university hospital setting. Anthropometric, hormonal, metabolic parameters and nesfatin-1 blood levels were determined.

Results: Nesfatin-1 levels were significantly higher in PCOS group compared with the controls 371.43 ± 2.50 versus 275.55 ± 1.74 pg/mL. Multivariate logistic regression analysis that contains: nesfatin-1, body mass index and homeostasis model assessment index revealed significant correlation of nesfatin-1 with the existence of PCOS (p < 0.05).

Conclusions: Higher nesfatin-1 levels in PCOS women compared to control group may suggest a possibility that nesfatin-1 may play some role in the PCOS.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Body Mass Index
  • Calcium-Binding Proteins / blood*
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / blood*
  • Female
  • Hospitals, University
  • Humans
  • Insulin Resistance
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / blood*
  • Nucleobindins
  • Outpatient Clinics, Hospital
  • Ovary / diagnostic imaging
  • Overweight / complications
  • Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / blood*
  • Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / complications
  • Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / diagnostic imaging
  • Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / metabolism
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications / blood*
  • Pregnancy Complications / diagnostic imaging
  • Pregnancy Complications / metabolism
  • Prospective Studies
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Turkey
  • Ultrasonography, Prenatal
  • Up-Regulation*
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Calcium-Binding Proteins
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • NUCB2 protein, human
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins
  • Nucleobindins