The Effect of Autoimmunity on NAMPT/Visfatin in Patients with Hypothyroidism
Abstract
Background: NAMPT/visfatin increases inflammation and its serum levels are affected in chronic lowgrade inflammation such as autoimmune disorders, and thyroid cancers.
Aim: We aimed showing how NAMPT/visfatin levels are affected in Hashimotos Thyroiditis (HT), a chronic autoimmune thyroiditis (CAT) with hypothyroidism, and thyroid papillary carcinoma (TPCa).
Materials and Methods: This is a cross-sectional case-control study and conducted in 2020. 193 HT patients not yet received treatment and 29 TPCa patients were compared with 150 healthy controls. Visfatin serum concentration was measured by ELISA method,
Results: The highest levels of NAMPT/visfatin were seen in the HT, and the lowest in the control group. HT group had the highest Anti-TPOAb level. TPCa and controls were negative for TPOAb and Anti- Tiroglobulin Ab. Between subclinical and overt hypothyroidism subgroups of HT group; there were significant differences regarding TSH, FreeT3, FreeT4, and Thyroglobulin (p <0.001, p = 0.037, p <0.001, p = 0.001, respectively). In subgroups of TPCa group; there were significant differences regarding TSH and FreeT4 (p <0.001, p = 0.007, respectively). Visfatin concentrations were significantly correlated with FT3 (r = 0.336; p = 0.034).
Conclusions: Visfatin levels in hypothyroidism are regulated by co-existing CAT and are also affected in TPCa and correlates with FT3.