Abstract
Objective. Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is closely associated with components of metabolic syndrome. Vaspin is a
novel adipocytokine that may link obesity, insulin resistance (IR), and type 2 diabetes mellitus. We aimed to investigate
circulating vaspin levels in subjects with NASH and also to search for the association of vaspin with IR, adiponectin, and
histological findings. Material and methods. A total of 50 male patients with NASH and 30 healthy male controls were
enrolled. Vaspin and adiponectin were measured with ELISA method. Insulin sensitivity determined by homeostasis model
assessment (HOMA-IR) index. Results. Plasma vaspin levels were higher and adiponectin levels were lower in NASH group
compared with controls (p < 0.01 and p < 0.001, respectively). However, in multivariate analysis adjusted for glucose and lipid
parameters, and HOMA-IR indexes, the difference in vaspin concentrations was disappeared. Nonetheless, the difference
regarding the adiponectin levels remained significant between groups (p = 0.03). Vaspin was negatively correlated with lowdensity
lipoprotein cholesterol (r = -0.32, p = 0.03) in subjects with NASH. Conclusions. This study indicates that circulating
vaspin levels are not altered in male subjects with NASH. These results suggest that in the absence of metabolic risk factors,
vaspin per se may not be involved in the pathogenesis of NASH.