AN OVERVIEW OF ROLE OF VISFATIN IN PREDIABETES

Abstract

Background: Excess adiposity has been heralded as the most important risk in the development of insulin resistance, prediabetes, and type-2 DM. Adipose tissue has been recognized not only a storehouse for energy and lipid storage, but it has
emerged as a major endocrine, metabolically active organ producing numerous proteins and enzymes as well as adipocyte
derived hormones now globally defined as adipokines. Visfatin acts as nicotinamide phosphoribosyl transferase, catalyzing
the rate-limiting step in the biosynthesis of Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide (NAD). Visfatin has anti-apoptotic properties
and regulates energy metabolism during stress responses. It also plays arole in immune activation. It has been suggested that
increased visceral fat in these patients induces a state of inflammation which may lead to insulin resistance.