Key words
omentin - vaspin - vitamin D
Introduction
Vitamin D deficiency is a common health problem seen worldwide. Vitamin D was previously
considered to be mainly effective on calcium and bone metabolism; however it is currently
understood that this vitamin is related with various systems and diseases. Vitamin
D has been shown to be related with obesity, cardiometabolic diseases, impaired glucose
tolerance, diabetes mellitus, metabolic syndrome, and hypertension. Relation between
vitamin D and insulin levels have been shown in many studies [1]
[2]. Adipokines released from adipose tissue play important roles in the control of
appetite and satiety, modulation of body fat distribution, regulation of insulin sensitivity
and secretion, maintenance of body energy balance, control of blood pressure, and
regulation of endothelial functions and inflammation [3]
[4]. Additionally via their autocrine and paracrine effects, adipokines contribute to
the regulation of adipogenesis, migration of immune cells into the adipose tissue,
and modulation of adipocyte metabolism and functions [3]
[5].
Vaspin (visceral adipose tissue-derived serpin) is a member of this adipocytokine
family. A serine protease inhibitor, vaspin is an insulin-sensitizing adipocytokine.
An increase in serum vaspin levels was suggested to be a compensatory response to
antagonize the activity of the proteases expressed in insulin resistance and obesity.
In other words, a high vaspin level has a defensive effect against insulin resistance
[6].
Omentin is an adiponectin primarily produced by the visceral adipose tissue, and it
has insulin-sensitizing effects. Omentin release decreases in obesity, type 2 diabetes
mellitus, and in insulin resistance. It is positively correlated with high-density
lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), whereas inversely correlated with body mass index
(BMI), waist circumference, insulin resistance and triglyceride. Decreased plasma
omentin levels contribute to the pathogenesis of insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes
mellitus and cardiovascular diseases. Omentin possesses anti-inflammatory, antiatherogenic,
anti-cardiovascular disease and antidiabetic properties [7].
Vitamin D has multifactorial effects, and some of its effects are also exerted on
the adipose tissue. Therefore changes in vitamin D levels may affect the levels of
adipokines released from the adipose tissue [8]. We consider that vitamin D may exert some of its systemic effects indirectly, via
these adipokines. We could not reach a study in the literature evaluating the relation
between vitamin D, and the adipokines vaspin and omentin. We therefore aimed in this
study to investigate the relation between vitamin D levels, and the levels of serum
vaspin and omentin.
Materials and Methods
Study group
Female volunteers (n=77) who attended the Bezmialem Foundation University, Internal
Medicine Outpatient Clinic between november 2014 and february 2015, were included
in the study. Study was performed after taking written confirmations of the participants,
and the University Ethic Council. Women were divided into 3 groups by considering
their vitamin D levels according to the vitamin D reference interval of the university
laboratory. Vitamin D levels of the groups were as follows: vitamin D 0–9.9 ng/mL
(serious deficiency), 10–24.9 ng/mL (moderate deficiency), and 25–80 ng/mL (normal
level). Cases possessing the followings were excluded from the study: malignity, diabetes
mellitus (DM), chronic renal failure (CRF), chronic liver disease, psychiatric disorders,
coronary and cerebrovascular diseases, pregnancy, abnormal thyroid function tests,
disorders in calcium metabolism and treatment with drugs that affect vitamin D.
All volunteers underwent a thorough physical examination and their height, weight
were recorded. Weight and height were measured to the nearest kilogram and centimeter,
respectively, and BMI (body mass index) was calculated [BMI=weight/(height)2]
Blood analysis
After 12 h of fasting, venous blood samples were collected into the gelly tubes between
8:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. Samples were then centrifuged for 10 min at 3 600 rpm, and
sera were separated. Fasting glucose level, urea, creatinine, triglycerides, total
cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein
cholesterol (HDL-C), fasting serum insulin level, glycolytic hemoglobin (HbA1C), alanine
aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP),
lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), creatine kinase (CK), iron,
total iron binding capacity (TIBC), complete blood count, thyroid stimulating hormone
(TSH), PTH and vitamin D (25-OH Vitamin D) were analyzed in all subjects. The homeostasis
model assessment (HOMA) of insulin resistance index, a measure of insulin sensitivity,
was calculated by multiplying fasting insulin concentration (µU/mL U/mL) by fasting
glucose concentration (mmol/L)/22.5 [9].
For omentin and vaspin analyses, sera were collected into eppendorf tubes, and were
then stored at −80°C till the assay day. On the assay day, samples were kept at room
temperature, and omentin and vaspin were measured (Thermo analysator, Scientific Multiskan
FC, USA) by using a commercial enzyme immunoassay kit (Aviscera Bioscience, Santa
Clara, USA) according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Samples were measured in
duplicate, and the average was used in the data analysis.
Statistical analysis
SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Sciences) for Windows 20.0 software was used
to perform the statistical analysis of the data. The continuous variables were expressed
as the mean±standard deviation. Continuous variables were compared between the 2 groups
using Mann-Whitney U test. Student’s t-test was used to compare parametric variables
between the patient and control groups and Chi-square test was used for categorical
variables. Bivariate correlation analyses were done by Spearman’s test. Vaspin and
omentin values in 3 groups were compared by using one way ANOVA test. Post Hoc comparison
was performed by LSD method. A p-value<0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results
Our study included female cases with serious n=26 (%34) and moderate n=26 (%34) vitamin
D deficiencies, and normal volunteers n=25 (%32). A total of 77 women were evaluated.
In our laboratory, a 25-OH vitamin D level of 0–9.9 ng/mL is considered as serious
deficiency, levels from 10 to 24.9 ng/mL are considered as moderate deficiency, levels
between 25 and 80 ng/mL are considered as optimal and levels higher than 81 ng/mL
are considered as possible toxicity. Cases were grouped with regard to vitamin D levels,
as follows: group A (vitamin D 6.91±1.97 ng/mL), group B (vitamin D 14.99±3.80 ng/mL),
and group C (vitamin D 46.99±24.45 ng/mL). These 3 groups did not show statistically
significant differences with regard to age, body mass index (BMI), fasting blood glucose,
creatinine, triglyceride, total cholesterol, HDL-C, LDL-C, Ca, P, HOMA-IR, and TSH
values. However serum omentin, vaspin and PTH values differed significantly between
the groups (p<0.001, p<0.001, p=0.001, respectively) ([Table 1]).
Table 1 Comparison of anthropometric and biochemical parameters of the groups with regard
to vitamin D levels.
|
Group A
patients (n=26)
Mean±SD
|
GroupB
patients (n=26)
Mean±SD
|
Grup C
Normal (n=25)
Mean±SD
|
p
|
|
Age (years)
|
38.42±12.63
|
42.26±13.44
|
46.04±10.84
|
0.096
|
|
BMI (kg/m2)
|
26.62±5.37
|
27.85±5.67
|
28.54±5.26
|
0.445
|
|
Omentin (ng/mL)
|
97.80±7.77
|
68.62±4.76
|
55.96±3.39
|
<0.001*
|
|
Vaspin (ng/mL)
|
0.88±0.05
|
1.21±0.10
|
1.63±0.16
|
<0.001*
|
|
Insulin (mU/L)
|
11.74±6.94
|
12.42±5.77
|
10.98±4.97
|
0.690
|
|
HOMA-IR
|
2.70±1.92
|
2.79±1.33
|
2.63±1.09
|
0.935
|
|
HbA1c (%)
|
5.43±0.39
|
5.50±0.39
|
5.51±0.41
|
0.748
|
|
Fasting blood glucose (mg/dL)
|
91.23±9.18
|
92.08±10.06
|
93.64±9.51
|
0.664
|
|
Totalcholesterol (mg/dL)
|
184.42±43.02
|
200.00±63.59
|
202.04±35.5
|
0.380
|
|
Triglyceride (mg/dL)
|
102.27±74.97
|
108.92±71.63
|
108.84±52.8
|
0.920
|
|
LDL-C (mg/dL)
|
109.92±29.93
|
128.35±58.93
|
133.32±31.2
|
0.120
|
|
HDL-C (mg/dL)
|
57.54±15.05
|
55.64±12.73
|
56.99±14.27
|
0.849
|
|
ALT (U/L)
|
18.50±9.75
|
18.92±6.41
|
24.20±12.29
|
0.07
|
|
CK (U/L)
|
90.31±46.74
|
89.50±45.21
|
94.00±54.75
|
0.94
|
|
ALP (U/L)
|
70.35±17.21
|
63.81±15.98
|
73.84±21.06
|
0.141
|
|
Ca (mg/dL)
|
9.36±0.35
|
9.26±0.35
|
9.40±0.35
|
0.335
|
|
P (mg/dL)
|
3.43±0.51
|
3.58±0.55
|
3.39±0.56
|
0.417
|
|
TSH (uIu/ml)
|
2.16±1.97
|
2.09±1.20
|
1.99±1.38
|
0.929
|
|
PTH (pg/ml)
|
68.54±18.75
|
60.57±22.05
|
45.63±14.29
|
0.001*
|
Mean±SD: Mean±standard deviation, BMI: body mass index, HOMA-IR: homeostasis model
assesment insuline resistance, HbA1c: glycolytic hemoglobin, LDL-C: low-density lipoprotein
cholesterol, HDL-C: high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, ALT: alanine aminotransferase
CK: Creatine kinase, ALP: alkaline phosphatase, Ca: calcium, P: phosphorus, TSH: thyroid
stimulating hormone, PTH: parathyroid hormone. *statistical significance (p<0.05)
Negative correlations determined between serum omentin levels and age, BMI, fasting
blood glucose, total cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL-C, HDL-C, HbA1c, Ca and ALP values,
were not significant statistically. Positive correlation between serum omentin levels
and HOMA-IR, was also not significant statistically. However negative correlations
between omentin levels, and vitamin D and vaspin values were found to be statistically
significant. Positive correlation between omentin levels and PTH, was also significant
statistically (r=− 0.626; p<0.001, r=− 0.867; p<0.001, r=0.461; p<0.001, respectively)
([Table 2]).
Table 2 Evaluation of correlations between serum omentin levels, and anthropometric and biochemical
parameters in the volunteers.
|
r
|
p-Value
|
|
Age
|
−0.224
|
0.050
|
|
BMI
|
−0.162
|
0.158
|
|
Fasting blood glucose
|
−0.053
|
0.646
|
|
Vaspin
|
−0.867
|
<0.001*
|
|
HbA1c
|
−0.039
|
0.738
|
|
Total cholesterol
|
−0.197
|
0.089
|
|
Triglyceride
|
−0.065
|
0.573
|
|
LDL-C
|
−0.287
|
0.895
|
|
HDL-C
|
−0.025
|
0.832
|
|
ALP
|
−0.008
|
0.946
|
|
Ca
|
−0.020
|
0.867
|
|
P
|
−0.021
|
0.854
|
|
PTH
|
0.461
|
<0.001*
|
|
HOMA-IR
|
0.031
|
0.794
|
|
Vitamin D
|
−0.626
|
<0.001*
|
BMI: body mass index, HbA1c: glycolytic hemoglobin, LDL-C: low-density lipoprotein
cholesterol, HDL-C: high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, ALP: alkaline phosphatase,
Ca: calcium, P: phosphorus, PTH: parathyroid hormone, HOMA-IR: homeostasis model assesment
insuline resistance. *statistical significance (p<0.05)
Positive correlations between serum vaspin levels and age, BMI, fasting blood glucose,
total cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL-C, HDL-C, HbA1c, Ca and ALP values were not significant
statistically. Negative correlation between serum vaspin and HOMA-IR was also not
significant statistically. However positive correlation between vaspin levels and
vitamin D, and negative correlations between vaspin levels and omentin and PTH values,
were found to be statistically significant (r=0.745; P<0.001, r=−0.867; P<0.001, r=−0.374;
p=0.002, respectively) ([Table 3]).
Table 3 Evaluation of correlations between serum vaspin levels, and anthropometric and biochemical
parameters in the volunteers.
|
r
|
p-Value
|
|
Age
|
0.253
|
0.026
|
|
BMI
|
0.206
|
0.072
|
|
Fasting blood glucose
|
0.171
|
0.137
|
|
Omentin
|
−0.867
|
<0.001*
|
|
HbA1c
|
0.157
|
0.176
|
|
Total cholesterol
|
0.124
|
0.286
|
|
Triglyceride
|
0.047
|
0.686
|
|
LDL-C
|
0.198
|
0.084
|
|
HDL-C
|
0.008
|
0.943
|
|
ALP
|
0.084
|
0.470
|
|
Ca
|
0.051
|
0.663
|
|
P
|
−0.084
|
0.472
|
|
PTH
|
−0.374
|
0.002*
|
|
HOMA-IR
|
−0.030
|
0.799
|
|
Vitamin D
|
0.745
|
<0.001*
|
BMI: body mass index, HbA1c: glycolytic hemoglobin, LDL-C: low-density lipoprotein
cholesterol, HDL-C: high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, ALP: alkaline phosphatase,
Ca: calcium, P: phosphorus, PTH: parathyroid hormone, HOMA-IR: homeostasis model assessment
insuline resistance. *statistical significance (p<0.05)
Discussion
In this study we aimed to determine serum omentin, vaspin and vitamin D levels in
the volunteers, to evaluate correlations of these markers with the anthropometric,
metabolic and biochemical parameters, and also to determine correlations of these
markers with each other. In order to minimize influences of other factors, cases possessing
similar demographic and anthropometric properties were included in the study. It is
reported in various studies that vitamin D deficiency is more common in women than
in men, and that women possess more severe forms of the disease. Women generally spend
most of their time for indoor activities, and thus they are not exposed to sunlight
efficiently; this may be the reason of more common vitamin D deficiency reported in
women in various studies [10]
[11]
[12].
In our study, vitamin D and vaspin levels correlated positively and significantly,
whereas there was an inverse and significant relation between vitamin D and omentin
values. We could not reach a study in the literature evaluating and comparing omentin
and vaspin, which are adipokines, in the vitamin D-deficient patients and normal subjects.
There are however studies investigating other adipokines and vitamin D levels in different
disease states. Ulutaş et al. have compared before- and after-treatment leptin and
adiponectin levels in vitamin D-deficient patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis
[13]. In this study leptin levels significantly increased with increasing vitamin D levels,
but no significant relation was determined between vitamin D and adiponectin. In a
study by Maggi S et al., serum leptin levels were increased by vitamin D therapy in
the type 2 diabetic patients [14]. Similarly, Gannage-Yared et al. reported relation of high vitamin D levels with
high adiponectin values in the vitamin D-deficient, nonobese, young subjects [13]
[15]. Nimitphong et al. also showed positive correlation between vitamin D and adiponectin
[13]
[16]. Adiponectin, which is a multifunctional protein, has protective effects for the
followings: development of insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, nonalcoholic fatty liver,
atherosclerosis, cardiac hypertrophy, and ischemic diseases [13]
[17]
[18]. Vitamin D may be positively correlated with some of the adipokines, and negatively
correlated with the others, In our study, similarly, vaspin and vitamin D correlated
positively, but omentin levels decreased when vitamin D levels increased. Preadipocytes
were shown to possess vitamin D receptors [13]
[19]
[20]. Active form of vitamin D probably exerts different effects via different mechanisms
(e. g., gene expression, and others) by acting through these receptors, and by affecting
adipokines.
There are also studies indicating inverse relations of some adipokines with each other.
For example in a study by Souza Batista et al., plasma omentin levels were negatively
correlated with BMI, leptin, waist circumference, fasting insulin and HOMA, whereas
adiponectin and HDL-C correlated positively with each other; in this study, plasma
omentin levels were compared between thin healthy individuals and obese subjects [21]. Being similar with this negative correlation between omentin and leptin, we determined
an inverse relation between omentin and vaspin. So we consider that adipokines may
have positive or negative interrelations.
Vitamin D exerts its multifactorial effects via its receptors in various tissues.
Emerging evidence suggests that adipose tissue could be a target for vitamin D actions,
as the 25-hydroxyvitamin D 1α-hydroxylase (CYP27B1) and vitamin D receptor genes are
expressed by adipocytes of both rodents and human subjects [8]. In addition, vitamin D receptors found in pancreatic β-cells launched studies on
the possible effects of calcitriol on regulation of insulin production [2]
[22].
Limited number of total participants may be a limitation factor in our study. It did
not include the male subjects, and this may also be considered as a limitation. Vitamin
D deficiency is more frequent and more severe in women, and we therefore preferred
to include female cases in our study.
Conclusion
The results of this study suggested that there was a significant, positive correlation
between serum vitamin D levels and vaspin, whereas a significant, negative correlation
between vitamin D levels and omentin levels. Further studies on larger series are
needed in order to confirm these results.
