Fasting concentrations of nesfatin-1 are negatively correlated with body mass index in non-obese males

Abstract

Background: We recently identified a novel anorexigenic protein, nesfatin-1, which is processed from nesfatin/nucleobindin-2 (NUCB2). However, the clinical importance of this protein has not been determined.

Objective: To investigate its clinical significance in humans, we have established a new specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for human nesfatin-1 in peripheral blood and measured its circulating concentration in healthy subjects.

Design: The new sandwich-type ELISA method was validated and then used to measure nesfatin-1 levels in plasma samples, under overnight fasting conditions, followed by oral glucose tolerance and meal tests.

Patients and measurements: A total of 43 nonobese males (age: 24.5 ± 0.6, body mass index (BMI); 21.1 ± 0.3 kg/m(2)) were recruited to the study for evaluating fasting concentrations of nesfatin-1. In those, fifteen subjects underwent a 75- g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and another 15 underwent a meal test. In addition, fasting concentrations of nesfatin-1 were measured in nine males with high BMI (age: 32.4 ± 3.7, BMI; 37.3 ± 3.8 kg/m(2)).

Results: Peripheral concentrations of nesfatin-1 showed a significant negative correlation with BMI, percentage body fat, body fat weight and blood glucose (P < 0.05). Nesfatin-1 concentrations were not significantly changed during OGTT and meal tests. Fasting nesfatin-1 levels were significantly lower in subjects with high BMI compared to nonobese subjects (P < 0.05).

Conclusions: A new specific and sensitive ELISA for nesfatin-1 was established. Further accumulation of clinical observations is necessary to clarify the role of circulating nesfatin-1 in various metabolic disorders.