Cross-sectional associations of resistin, coronary heart disease, and insulin resistance.
BACKGROUND
Recently, resistin was found to be present in atherosclerotic lesions in apoE(-/-) mice. Resistin may be associated with inflammation and atherosclerosis in humans; however, the role of resistin in human disease remains controversial.


OBJECTIVE
This study assesses cross-sectional relationships of resistin with coronary heart disease (CHD).


METHODS
Blood samples from the third examination of the Strong Heart Study (SHS)--the largest study of CHD in American Indians--were used. Cases who had suffered previous myocardial infarction (n = 100) were selected randomly from the three SHS sites and matched for study site and sex with controls who had no history of cardiovascular disease (CHD or stroke) (n = 100).


METHODS
Resistin levels by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method in cases and controls was the main outcome measure.


RESULTS
Resistin levels were higher in cases than controls [median (interquartile range): 3.4 (2.5-4.7) vs. 2.8 (2.1-4.0) ng/ml; P = 0.003] and had univariate correlations with age (Spearman r = 0.21; P < 0.002), fasting insulin (r = 0.21; P = 0.003), insulin resistance by homeostasis model (r = 0.22; P = 0.04), albumin to creatinine ratio (r = 0.19; P = 0.01), and fibrinogen (r = 0.34; P < 0.0001). Cases were more likely to have diabetes (cases 67%; controls 41%; P < 0.0001) but had similar body mass index (cases 31.4 +/- 5.4; controls 30.7 +/- 6.3; P = 0.85). Resistin levels were higher in participants with established nephropathy (albumin to creatinine ratio >300 mg/g, n = 26) compared with those with normo- (n = 122) or microalbuminuria (n = 42). In multivariate analysis, nephropathy (P = 0.0013) but not previous myocardial infarction (P = 0.12) was significantly associated with resistin.


CONCLUSIONS
Resistin is not independently associated with CHD. Resistin is elevated in survivors of myocardial infarction; however, this reflects a novel association of raised resistin with diabetic nephropathy.
Burnett
Mary Susan
MS
Cardiovascular Research Institute, MedStar Research Institute, Washington, DC 20010, USA. Mary.s.burnett-miller@medstar.net
Devaney
Joseph M
JM
Adenika
Remi J
RJ
Lindsay
Robert
R
Howard
Barbara V
BV
D000368:Aged; D015992:Body Mass Index; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D048909:Diabetes Complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications; D007198:Indians, North American / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000453:epidemiology; D052243:Resistin / Q000097:blood*; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology
D007328:Insulin; D052243:Resistin