Plasma nesfatin-1 levels are increased in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome

Background Nesfatin-1 is a recently discovered neuropeptide derived from its precursor nucleobindin-2 (NUCB2) and has been implicated in the regulation of feeding and energy metabolism. It is located in the brain and also produced at the periphery and present in the plasma. However, its pathophysiological role in humans remains unknown. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is commonly presented with obesity, insulin resistance, hyperandrogenemia and hirsutism. Aim To characterize serum nesfatin-1 levels in PCOS women and determine association of nesfatin-1 with metabolic parameters. Materials and methods It is a cross-sectional study of 55 PCOS and 28 healthy women matched in age, in a university hospital setting. Anthropometric, hormonal, metabolic parameters and nesfatin-1 blood levels were determined. Results Nesfatin-1 levels were significantly higher in PCOS group compared with the controls 371.43 +/- 2.50 versus 275.55 +/- 1.74 pg/mL. Multivariate logistic regression analysis that contains: nesfatin-1, body mass index and homeostasis model assessment index revealed significant correlation of nesfatin-1 with the existence of PCOS (p < 0.05). Conclusions Higher nesfatin-1 levels in PCOS women compared to control group may suggest a possibility that nesfatin-1 may play some role in the PCOS.