Implications of visfatin genetic variants in the metabolic profile of the Romanian pediatric population

Association of Visfatin gene polymorphism with obesity related metabolic disorders among Pakistani population: a case control study

In recent years, the global prevalence of obesity and its associated metabolic disorders has reached alarming levels, presenting a significant challenge to public health worldwide. Visfatin, also known as pre-B cell colony-enhancing factor (PBEF) or nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT), is an adipokine that has been implicated in various physiological processes, including glucose homeostasis, lipid metabolism, and inflammation. The main objective of this proposed study is to find out the association between visfatin genetic variants and metabolic syndrome. The sample size of the study consisted of 300 blood samples (150 control and 150 cases). This study found that the genotypic frequency of visfatin SNPs, including rs2302559 (OD: 18.222; 95% CI 10.228-32.466; p-value < 0.001) and rs1215113036 (OD: 129.40; 95% CI 44.576-375.693; p-value < 0.001) were significantly associated with metabolic syndrome. Moreover, the frequency of the mutant alleles of both visfatin SNPs was found to be higher in patients with metabolic syndrome as compared to controls. Results of the current study indicate that people with any genetic variation of Visfatin, such as rs2302559 and rs1215113036, are more likely to develop metabolic syndrome. Visfatin genetic variants are linked to an increased risk of metabolic syndrome, implying it's role in disease pathophysiology.

A genetic variant of the NAMPT gene rs4730153 as a risk factor for the metabolic syndrome in younger age: a single-centre pilot study in Yogyakarta, Indonesia

Background

The genetic variation of nicotinamide phosphoribosyl transferase (NAMPT) gene rs4730153 is reported to be associated with cardiometabolic risk, but the results are inconsistent between populations. Ethnicity, metabolic risk and lifestyle play a role in the association of the genetic variant and the metabolic syndrome (MetS). To the best of our knowledge, no research has yet been published concerning the Javanese population, so this study aimed to investigate the association of rs4730153 with MetS and its interaction with metabolic risk and lifestyle.

Results

The GG genotype (p = 0.031; OR 95% CI 3.88 [1.13–13.33]), GA+GG genotype (p = 0.048; OR 95% CI 10.52 [1.02–108.01]) and G allele carrier (p = 0.006; OR 95% CI 4.19 [1.51–11.64]) of rs4730153 had a higher risk of the MetS after adjusting for obesity, hypercholesterolemia, smoking and food intake. The risk was statistically significant for the younger age group ≤ 45 years old.

Conclusion

The GG, GA+GG genotype and G allele carrier of rs4730153 have a higher risk of the MetS, especially those who are obese, hypercholesterolemic and smokers and have a higher food intake in those aged ≤ 45 years old. Further larger, multicentre studies are required to confirm these pilot results.

Evaluation of Plasma AA/DHA+EPA Ratio in Obese Romanian Children

The aim of the study was to evaluate the plasma profile of arachidonic acid (AA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), as well to analyze the relationship of Omega 6/Omega 3 ratio with anthropo-metric parameters and insulin resistance markers.

Material and methods: Plasma levels of free fatty acids (FFAs) were measured using a high-throughput LC-MS AB Sciex4600 in 202 children (127 obese and 75 non-obese), age and sex-matched. Lipid and glucose profiles were assessed with current laboratory methods, while insulin resistance and beta-cell function were evaluated using HOMA-IR and HOMA-β respectively.

Results: In obese children, AA and AA/(DHA+EPA) ratio were significantly higher regardless of age and gender. In the lowest quartile of DHA, there was a clear trend for insulin resistance, with plasma insulin level, HOMA-IR, and HOMA-β significantly higher compared to the highest quartile of DHA. After adjustment for age and gender DHA remains a negative predictive factor for insulin resistance. Waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), a marker of visceral obesity was higher in children with a higher AA/(DHA+EPA) ratio.

Conclusions: In obese children, the AA is higher in concordance with insulin resistance. Additionally, children with a higher AA/(DHA+EPA) ratio have greater BMI, fat mass, waist circumference, and WHtR, important indicators of central adiposity, and cardio-metabolic disorders. LC/MS is a versatile tool for Omega ratio assessment, especially in children where the sample size is a limiting factor for metabolic and nutrition evaluation.

Plasma RBP4 Level in Association with Body Composition, Metabolic Profile, STRA6 and RBP4 Gene Polymorphisms in Obese Romanian Children

BACKGROUND

Pediatric obesity continues to remain a serious health concern which has significantly increased the morbidity risk in adulthood. Recent studies have analyzed the impact of the two adipokines, RBP4 (retinol binding protein 4) and STRA6 (stimulated by retinoic acid 6) in pediatric obese subjects with contradictory results.

METHODS

An observational study was conducted in the Pediatric and Endocrinology Departments, Targu-Mures, Romania, including 213 children between 5-17 years of age, divided into two groups according to body mass index (BMI) standard deviation score (SDS): case (overweight or obese) and control (normal SDS). Age, sex, basic anthropometric and biochemical measurements and genotype of rs3758539, and rs10882280 for RBP4 gene and rs974456 and rs351224 of STRA6 gene were analyzed. Statistical analysis used SPSS v. 25.0, with a level of significance α = 0.05.

RESULTS

There is no association between the two gene's polymorphisms and obesity in our pediatric population. In regression analysis, with HOMA IR (homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance) as the outcome, the plasmatic level of RBP4 and fat mass percentage are significant predictors, with the model explaining 42% of the HOMA variability. Hypercholesterolemia was significantly associated with male sex, carrying variant allele and heterozygote status of rs10882280 RBP4 gene and wild-type allele rs351224 of STRA6 gene.

CONCLUSION

There is no significant association between obesity and SNPs of the RBP4 and STRA6 in our population, but they seem to play a role in insulin resistance and hypercholesterolemia.