Serum nesfatin-1 and galanin concentrations in the adult with metabolic syndrome: Relationships to insulin resistance and obesity

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the serum levels of nesfatin-1 and galanin in patients with metabolic syndrome (MetS), and also to show their association with the parameters of the disease. METHODS: We performed a case-control study with 84 participants (44 patients with MetS diagnosed according to the American Heart Association/National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute and International Diabetes Federation criteria and 40 control group) were recruited from King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, between October 2014 and June 2015. Anthropometric parameters, biochemical markers as well as nesfatin-1 and galanin were measured. RESULTS: Nesfatin-1 levels were found to be significantly lower and galanin levels significantly higher in MetS group compared to the control group. A significant negative correlation between serum nesfatin-1 and weight, waist circumference, and body mass index were observed. A significant positive correlation between serum galanin and with fasting blood glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin, homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance, and triglycerides. CONCLUSION: Our findings indicated a lower level of nesfatin-1 and a higher level of galanin in patients with MetS, suggesting a role of these neuropeptides in the pathogenesis of this disease.