[Vaspin and insulin resistance].

We have identified the vaspin gene(serpina12), which is up-regulated in visceral white adipose tissues (WATs) of Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima fatty (OLETF) rat, an animal model of abdominal obesity and type 2 diabetes. Vaspin mRNA was barely detectable at 6 weeks of age, but was abundantly and exclusively expressed in visceral WATs at 30 weeks of age, when OLETF rats reach their peak body weight. However, vaspin mRNA decreased with worsening of diabetes and body weight loss. Vaspin mRNA increased with administration of thiazolidinediones, i.e. pioglitazone. Administration of recombinant vaspin into high fat high sucrose (HFHS) chow-induced obese ICR mice improved glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity. Vaspin may be the compensatory molecule in the pathogenesis of metabolic syndrome and vaspin recombinant protein or vaspin-mimicking agents such as vaspin analogues, antibodies or small molecule agents would link to drug discovery and development.