Serum levels of spexin and kisspeptin negatively correlate with obesity and insulin resistance in women.
Kołodziejski. P A PA; Pruszyńska-Oszmałek. E E; Korek. E E; Sassek. M M; Szczepankiewicz. D D; Kaczmarek. P P; Nogowski. L L; Maćkowiak. P P; Nowak. K W KW; Krauss. H H; Strowski. M Z MZ
Key Findings
- Obese women have significantly lower blood levels of spexin and kisspeptin compared to lean women
- Both spexin and kisspeptin levels are inversely related to BMI, insulin resistance (HOMA‑IR), insulin, glucagon, active ghrelin, and leptin
- Higher spexin and kisspeptin levels are positively associated with insulin‑sensitivity indices (QUICKI, McAuley) and beneficial hormones like adiponectin, GLP‑1, and orexin‑A
Practical Outcomes
- The data suggest that boosting spexin or kisspeptin could be a strategy to improve metabolic health, but the study is observational and offers no dosing or supplementation guidance. Biohackers might monitor emerging research on ways to raise these peptides (e.g., through diet, exercise, or experimental supplements) and consider them as potential targets for future self‑experiments, while recognizing that concrete protocols are not yet established.
Summary
In women, the hormones spexin and kisspeptin are lower in those who are obese, and both hormones are linked to better insulin sensitivity and healthier hormone profiles. Higher levels of these peptides go hand‑in‑hand with lower body‑mass index, better insulin‑resistance scores, and more of the “good” hormones that help control blood sugar and appetite.
Abstract
Spexin (SPX) and kisspeptin (KISS) are novel peptides relevant in the context of regulation of metabolism, food intake, puberty and reproduction. Here, we studied changes of serum SPX and KISS levels in female non-obese volunteers (BMI<25 kg/m(2)) and obese patients (BMI>35 kg/m(2)). Correlations between SPX or KISS with BMI, McAuley index, QUICKI, HOMA IR, serum levels of insulin, glucagon, leptin, adiponectin, orexin-A, obestatin, ghrelin and GLP-1 were assessed. Obese patients had lower SPX and KISS levels as compared to non-obese volunteers (SPX: 4.48+/-0.19 ng/ml vs. 6.63+/-0.29 ng/ml; p<0.001, KISS: 1.357+/-0.15 nmol/l vs. 2.165+/-0.174 nmol/l; p<0.01). SPX negatively correlated with BMI, HOMA-IR, insulin, glucagon, active ghrelin and leptin. Positive correlations were found between SPX and QUICKI index, McAuley index, serum levels of obestatin, GLP-1 and adiponectin and orexin-A Serum KISS negatively correlated with BMI, HOMA-IR, serum levels of insulin, glucagon, active ghrelin and leptin. KISS positively correlated with QUICKI index, McAuley index and adiponectin. In summary, SPX and KISS show negative correlations with obesity, insulin resistance indices, and hormones known to affect insulin sensitivity in females. Both, SPX and KISS could be therefore relevant in the pathophysiology of obesity and insulin resistance.
Study Information
pubmed
2017
2017-11-10T00:00:00.000Z
10.33549/physiolres.933467