Plasma vaspin concentrations are elevated in metabolic syndrome in men and are correlated with coronary atherosclerosis in women

Objective Vaspin is visceral adipose-tissue-derived adipokine, which has an insulin-sensitizing effect in obese type 2 diabetic rodent models. As adipokines may serve as a link between visceral adiposity and atherosclerosis, we investigated whether plasma vaspin concentrations were associated with the metabolic syndrome and coronary atherosclerosis. Design and Methods We measured fasting plasma vaspin levels in 81 subjects with the metabolic syndrome and 241 age- and sex-matched control subjects without the metabolic syndrome using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Multi-detector row cardiac computed tomography was performed to evaluate coronary atherosclerosis. We analysed sex-specific plasma vaspin concentrations according to the presence of the metabolic syndrome and the severity of coronary atherosclerosis. Results Plasma vaspin concentrations were significantly higher in men with the metabolic syndrome compared with those without the metabolic syndrome [median 0.60 (inter-quartile range 0.40-0.99) ng/ml vs 0.40 (0.26-0.66) ng/ml, P = 0.002]. There was a positive correlation between plasma vaspin concentrations and body mass index, waist circumference, and per cent body fat in men. However, these relationships were not found in women. Plasma vaspin concentrations were associated with the presence and severity of coronary artery stenosis such as higher Agatstone calcium score, number of diseased vessels and characteristics of coronary artery plaque only in women. Conclusions Higher plasma vaspin concentrations are significantly associated with metabolic syndrome in men. In women, vaspin concentrations are associated with coronary atherosclerosis. Further studies regarding the role of vaspin in the pathogenesis of obesity and atherosclerosis are required.