| Background : |
Visfatin, a newly identified adipocytokine ,which is predominantly secreted from visceral adipose tissue both in humans and mice . Visfatin corresponds to a protein identified previously as pre-B cell colony-enhancing factor (PBEF). Visfatin exerted insulin-mimetic effects in cultured cells, various insulin-sensitive tissues such as liver, muscle, and fat ,and lowered plasma glucose levels in mice. Mice heterozygous for a targeted mutation in the visfatin gene had modestly higher levels of plasma glucose relative to wild-type littermates. visfatin binds to and activates the insulin receptor. Which may lead to new insights into glucose homeostasis and/or new therapies for metabolic disorders such as diabetes. |
