Plasma Resistin Levels Are Associated with Insulin Resistance in Older Japanese Men from a Rural Village

Abstract

Background:

The role of resistin in the pathophysiology of insulin resistance in human is controversial and different in men and women. Thus, the discrepancy among previous reports may be resolved by gender-specific analysis of a large number of participants.

Methods:

From a single community, we recruited 746 men (mean age, 60±14 years) and 1033 women (63±12 years) during their annual health examination. We investigated whether plasma resistin levels are associated with insulin resistance evaluated by homeostasis of model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) according to gender.

Results:

Resistin levels were significantly correlated with HOMA-IR in men, but not in women. Analysis of covariance showed that two regression lines were significantly different (F=9.941, P=0.002). Multiple linear regression analyses for resistin showed that the resistin levels (β=0.124, P<0.001) were independently and significantly associated with HOMA-IR as well as body mass index (BMI), alcohol consumption, smoking status, uric acid, γ-glutamyltransferase (GGT), and high molecular weight (HMW) adiponectin only in men and not in women. The interaction between gender and resistin level (F=11.50, P<0.001) was also a significant and independent determinant for HOMA-IR as well as gender, BMI, alcohol consumption, smoking status, uric acid, GGT, HMW adiponectin, and resistin.

Conclusions:

These results suggest that plasma resistin levels are associated with insulin resistance in older Japanese men.