Associations Between Asprosin, Insulin Resistance, and Oxidative Stress in Adults with Obesity

The global increase in obesity is strongly associated with insulin resistance (IR) and related metabolic impairments. Asprosin (ASP), a glucogenic adipokine induced by fasting, has recently emerged as a potential biomarker of IR and abnormal body composition. However, its physiological role in obesity remains incompletely understood.To evaluate the associations between serum ASP levels, IR indices, oxidative stress markers, and body composition parameters in overweight and obese adults during a standardized 4-hour oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). This cross-sectional study included 150 adults categorized by BMI into three groups: control (CG; BMI < 25 kg/m²), overweight (O1; BMI > 25 kg/m²), and obese (O2; BMI > 30 kg/m²). Participants underwent dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), and biochemical assessment. Measurements included serum ASP, C-peptide, HbA1c, lipid profile, total oxidative capacity (TOC), and total antioxidative capacity (TAC). IR was assessed using HOMA-IR, QUICKI, Matsuda Index, and the Triglyceride-Glucose Index (TyG). Serum ASP levels were significantly higher in O1 and O2 compared with CG (p < 0.001), and in O2 compared with O1 (p < 0.01). ASP positively correlated with fat mass, TOC, HOMA-IR, and TyG (p < 0.05), and negatively correlated with muscle mass, total body water, resting metabolic rate, QUICKI, and Matsuda Index (p < 0.05).In summary, ASP is strongly associated with IR and adverse metabolic profiles in obesity. Its robust correlation with TyG, particularly in individuals with advanced obesity, underscores its potential as a novel biomarker and therapeutic target in obesity-related metabolic dysfunction.