Association among nesfatin-1, obesity category, presence of obesity-related complications, and eating patterns in patients with obesity: Results of a single endocrine centre observational study

Since its discovery, nesfatin-1 (N1) has been recognised as an anorexigenic agent potentially related to obesity pathogenesis and development, including its modulatory effect on the brain’s reward system and eating behaviours. As the results from human studies examining the relation between N1 serum levels, body mass index (BMI), and metabolic status are scarce and inconclusive, we aimed to investigate the association between serum N1 levels and obesity categories, obesity-related complications, and disturbed eating behaviour. We studied 110 patients with obesity divided into obesity categories according to their BMI and metabolic status. N1 was measured in a fasting state (N1⁰) and 2 h after a glucose load (N1²) and correlated with anthropometric measurements, serum analysis, and the presence of selected obesity-related complications. Neither N1⁰ nor N1² correlated significantly with obesity; however, N1⁰ tended to be high in patients with a high BMI. A positive correlation was observed among N1², fat-free mass (p = 0.022), and muscle mass (p = 0.02). We found positive correlations between N1⁰ and N1² with aspartate aminotransferase (p = 0.012 and p = 0.022, respectively) and alanine aminotransferase (p = 0.027 and p = 0.006, respectively). Patients with dyslipidaemia had significantly higher N1⁰ (p = 0.03) and N1² (p = 0.049) levels. Neither N1⁰ nor N1² correlated significantly with disturbed eating behaviour; however, low N1⁰ levels were associated with a hedonic eating pattern (p = 0.03). N1 may be involved in the pathogenesis of obesity and obesity-related complications; however, owing to the complex mechanisms of its secretion and action, further clinical and experimental research is needed.