Resistin Is an Inflammatory Marker of Atherosclerosis in Humans

BACKGROUND: Resistin, a plasma protein, induces insulin resistance in rodents. Recent reports suggest that circulating levels of resistin are elevated in obese and insulin-resistant rodents and humans. Whereas rodent resistin is made in adipocytes, macrophages are a major source of human resistin. Given the convergence of adipocyte and macrophage function, resistin may provide unique insight into links between obesity, inflammation, and atherosclerosis in humans. METHODS AND RESULTS: We examined whether plasma resistin levels were associated with metabolic and inflammatory markers, as well as with coronary artery calcification (CAC), a quantitative index of atherosclerosis, in 879 asymptomatic subjects in the…

• BW
  Burroughs Wellcome Fund
• UO
  University of Pennsylvania
• DK
  Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum
• DF
  Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft
• NI
  National Institutes of Health

  Awards: RR00040, M01-RR00040
• NH
  National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
• NI
  National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

  Award: 19525
• NC
  National Center for Research Resources