The Effects Of Vsfatin Gene Overexpression On Insulin Sensitivity And Plasma FGF-21 Level In Rats

Objective: To construct the eukaryotic expression vector of visfatin (pcDNA3.1 (+)-visfatin) and transfer it into normal rats. The effects of visfatin gene overexpression on insulin sensitivity and plasma fibroblast growth factor–21 (FGF-21) were investigated in these rats.Methods: 1. The recombinant vector (pcDNA3.1 (+)-visfatin) was constructed and then injected into rats. 2. Plasma visfatin and FGF-21 were determined by Western blotting and RIA. 3. Insulin sensitivity was estimated by euglycemic-hyperinsulinemic clamp.Results: 1. Recombinant pcDNA3.1 (+)-visfatin was successfully constructed. 2. After 3 days of treatment, plasma visfatin level was significantly increased and fasting insulin, total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and plasma FGF-21 were significantly decreased. 3. The euglycemic-hyperinsulinemic clamp showed an increasing insulin sensitivity after pcDNA3.1 (+)-visfatin treatment.Conclusions: 1. The eukaryotic expression vector of pcDNA3.1 (+)-visfatin was successfully constructed. 2. Visfatin overexpression can decrease plasma FGF-21 level and increase insulin sensitivity in normal rats.