The Role of Visfatin in Female Reproduction and Various Types of Gynecological Cancers

Introduction: Visfatin is a 52-kDa protein produced mainly by adipose tissue. It is one of the cytokines known as adipokines. There is a correlation between visfatin and female reproductive health, pregnancy complications, and gynecological cancers. This mini-review summarizes the existing knowledge of the role of visfatin in female reproduction and in various types of gynecological cancers. Methods: We performed a literature search in the PubMed database up to December 2023. We reviewed the identified articles and included those that were relevant to our objective. Results: Visfatin has been implicated in the pathogenesis of polycystic ovary syndrome, while alterations in visfatin levels have been correlated with pregnancy complications, including gestational diabetes mellitus, acute pyelonephritis, preeclampsia, and reduced fetal growth. First trimester maternal visfatin levels are associated with infant weight. The role of visfatin has also been investigated in relation to steroidogenesis as well as breast, ovarian, and endometrial cancers. In those types of gynecological cancers, high visfatin levels were observed. Visfatin has also been detected in the follicular fluid, and it has been correlated with the number of retrieved oocytes in in vitro fertilization. Conclusion: The results from published studies are contradictory because visfatin levels vary across conditions due to its complex mode of action. Visfatin could potentially serve as a prognostic biomarker in various reproductive conditions and as a therapeutic target in various types of gynecological cancers. Additional studies are needed to clarify visfatin’s role in female reproduction because its effects can vary depending on the tissue in which it is present.