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Aims. Betatrophin is a recently identified circulating adipokine that may affect lipid and glucose metabolism. However, the association between plasma betatrophin levels and carotid atherosclerosis has not been elucidated. Methods. We investigated plasma betatrophin levels in 153 subjects undergoing carotid ultrasonography. The severity of plaque was evaluated as plaque score. Results. Of the 153 subjects, plaque was found in 63 (41%). Plasma betatrophin levels were higher in 63 subjects with plaque than in 90 without plaque (median 906 vs. 729 pg/mL, P<0.025). A stepwise increase in betatrophin levels was found depending on the plaque score: 729 pg/mL in score=0 (n=90), 802 pg/mL in score=1 (n=31), and 978 pg/mL in score≥2 (n=32) (P<0.01). In particular, betatrophin levels in subjects with score≥2 were higher than in those with score=0 (P<0.05). Moreover, betatrophin levels correlated with plaque score (r=0.23, P<0.01), but no significant correlation was found between betatrophin levels and triglyceride or HbA1c levels. The percentage of subjects with betatrophin>800 pg/mL was higher in subjects with plaque than in those without plaque (65% vs. 44%) and was highest in score≥2 (78%) (P<0.005). In the multivariate analysis, betatrophin level was not a significant factor for the presence of plaque but was a significant factor for plaque score≥2, independent of atherosclerotic risk factors. The odds ratio for score≥2 was 4.9 (95% CI=1.9-12.8) for betatrophin>800 pg/mL. Conclusions. Plasma betatrophin levels were found to be high in subjects with carotid plaque and to be associated with the severity of plaque. Betatrophin may play a role in the progression of carotid atherosclerosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nesfatin-1 is a recently identified anorexigenic peptide mainly secreted from the brain and adipose tissue. Although nesfatin-1 may have pro-inflammatory and apoptotic properties, the association between plasma nesfatin-1 levels and coronary artery disease (CAD) has not been clarified yet. We investigated plasma nesfatin-1 levels in 302 patients undergoing elective coronary angiography. Of the 302 study patients, CAD was present in 172 (57%), of whom 67 had 1-vessel, 49 had 2-vessel, and 56 had 3-vessel disease. Compared with 130 patients without CAD, 172 with CAD had higher plasma nesfatin-1 levels (median 0.21 vs. 0.17 ng/mL, P < 0.01). A stepwise increase in nesfatin-1 levels was found depending on the number of > 50% stenotic coronary vessels: 0.17 in CAD(−), 0.20 in 1-vessel, 0.21 in 2-vessel, and 0.22 ng/mL in 3-vessel disease (P < 0.05). A high nesfatin-1 level (> 0.19 ng/mL) was found in 43% of patients with CAD(−), 55% of those with 1-vessel, 55% of those with 2-vessel, and 68% of those with 3-vessel disease (P < 0.05). Nesfatin-1 levels significantly correlated with the number of > 50% stenotic coronary segments (r = 0.14, P < 0.02). In multivariate analysis, plasma nesfatin-1 levels were a significant factor for CAD independent of atherosclerotic risk factors. The odds ratio for CAD was 1.71 (95% CI 1.01–2.91) for high nesfatin-1 level of > 0.19 ng/mL (P < 0.05). Thus, plasma nesfatin-1 levels were found to be high in patients with CAD and were associated with CAD independent of atherosclerotic risk factors, suggesting that high nesfatin-1 levels in patients with CAD may play a role in the development of coronary atherosclerosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]