Visfatin and its role in obesity development

Visfatin, a product of PBEF gene, is an adipocytokine that harbours strong insulin-mimetic activity and it has been reported previously to associate with obesity. Recent reports also provide evidence that Visfatin has also important intracellular effects as it is homologous with nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT). In this review, we summarize the main documented effects of Visfatin on metabolism in humans, with special emphasis put on the pathways associated with obesity.