Plasma nesfatin-1 levels and its relationship with anxiety levels in obesity diagnosed population: A controlled study

Abstract

Objective: Nesfatin-1 is a satiety neuropeptide involved in the regulation of metabolic pathways and food intake. Some studies have shown nesfatin-1 to be also associated with stress responses and stress-related behaviors. In the present study, we evaluated nesfatin-1 levels in obese individuals and investigated whether nesfatin-1 levels could be associated with anxiety levels in obese populations.

Methods: Fifty-eight obese (29 anxious and 29 non-anxious) patients and 25 healthy control subjects between 18 and 65 years old were enrolled in the study. Plasma nesfatin-1 levels were measured with a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and anxiety levels were measured using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale.

Results: Plasma nesfatin-1 levels were significantly lower in both obese and anxious subjects and obese and non-anxious subjects than in the control group. No significant differences were found between the obese+anxious group and the obese+nonanxious group.

Conclusion: Our results suggest that plasma nesfatin-1 levels are decreased and not associated with anxiety levels in obese populations