plasma visfatin levels and insulin sensitivity or resistance relationship in type 2 diabetes

Objective Many studies reported inconsistent results about the connection of visfatin with diabetes and insulin resistance (IR), and also the role of visfatin in the pathogenesis of diabetes are still under debate. This study aimed to evaluate the visfatin levels in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) compared to non-diabetic age-matched subjects and explore the relationship between visfatin and insulin sensitivity or resistance. Methods A total of 85 subjects were enrolled in this study; 60 patients with T2DM who were sub-divided into two groups according to levels of IR (IR < 2.5 and > 2.5 groups). Also, 25 non-diabetic healthy subjects matched for age, body mass index, and lipid profile were included as a control group. Physical and clinical examinations were done for each participant. Visfatin levels were measured using enzyme-linked immune sorbent assay. IR and quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI) were calculated from fasting plasma glucose and insulin. Results Significant higher visfatin level and IR were found in diabetic patients in comparison to control group (P < 0.05). No significant difference was found in visfatin level between diabetic patients with IR < 2.5 and control group, while, visfatin level in diabetic patients with IR > 2.5 was significantly higher in comparison to that of the group with IR < 2.5 and control group. Significant negative correlation was found between visfatin levels and QUICKI in the diabetic patients’ group with IR < 2.5 (r = −0.324, P < 0.05). Highly significant negative correlation was found between QUICKI and IR in control and diabetic patients with IR < 2.5, while this correlation disappears in IR > 2.5 group. Conclusion An inverse relationship between visfatin levels and insulin sensitivity was found. Also, the correlation between insulin sensitivity and resistance differs depending on their levels. This study suggests that visfatin may play a significant regulatory role at elevated glucose levels, spatially when IR is more than 2.5. Keywords visfatin, type 2 diabetes, insulin resistance, insulin sensitivity