The role of visfatin (PBEF/Nampt) in pregnancy complications. (November 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Pavlová, Tereza; Novák, Jan; Bienertová-Vašků, Julie
• Is Part Of: Journal of reproductive immunology. Volume 112(2016)
• Page Start: 102
• Page End: 110
• Publication Date: 2015-11
• Subjects: Preterm labor -- Pre-eclampsia -- Gestational diabetes mellitus -- Maternal plasma -- Sirtuins -- Visfatin; Reproduction -- Immunological aspects -- Periodicals; Immunology -- Periodicals; Allergy and Immunology -- Periodicals; Reproduction -- Periodicals; Reproduction -- Immunologie -- Périodiques; Immunologie -- Périodiques; Immunology; Reproduction -- Immunological aspects; Periodicals; Electronic journals; Electronic journals; 615.766
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jri.2015.09.004
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0165-0378

Abstract

Highlights: Visfatin is an adipocytokine expressed in various tissues in the human body. Visfatin exerts pleiotropic effects in physiological and pathophysiological processes. Visfatin maternal plasma concentrations increase during pregnancy. Alterations in visfatin level take place in women during pregnancy complications. The review investigates the role of visfatin during pregnancy. Abstract: Visfatin (PBEF/Nampt) is an adipocytokine that exerts pleiotropic effects within the human body, particularly affecting its metabolism and immunity. Visfatin was originally identified as being secreted by peripheral blood lymphocytes acting as a pre-B-cell colony-enhancing factor (PBEF). However, it was subsequently reported to be expressed in almost every tissue of the human body, with visceral fat deposits being the main source of visfatin. In addition to its secreted form, visfatin may also be found intracellularly where it functions as a nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (Nampt). Visfatin maternal plasma concentrations increase during pregnancy, suggesting its important role in this complicated process. Alterations in visfatin level also take place in patients during pregnancy complications. This review focuses on the ones that most commonly occur in connection with visfatin: preterm labor, pre-eclampsia and gestational diabetes mellitus. The review aims to provide a better understanding of the role of visfatin during pregnancy and the causes of its alteration in maternal plasma, highlighting the potential use of visfatin as a diagnostic marker of pregnancy complications in the future.