Resistin levels and inflammatory markers in patients with morbid obesity

The aim of the present study was to explore the relationship of resistin levels with inflammatory markers and anthropometric parameters in morbid obese patients.

A population of 46 morbid obese was analyzed. A complete nutritional and biochemical evaluation was performed. Patients were divided in two groups by median resistin value (3.49 ng/ml), group I (low values, average value 2.60 +/- 0.5) and group II (high values, average value 5.71 +/- 2.25).

Patients in the group II had higher weight, BMI, fat mass, waist circumference, LDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, fibrinogen and C reactive protein than patients in group I. In the multivariate analysis with age- and sex-adjusted basal resistin concentration as a dependent variable, only fibrinogen and LDL cholesterol remained as an independent predictor in the model (F = 8.5; p < 0.05). Resistin concentration increase 0.01 ng/ml (CI 95%: 0.003-0.017) for each mg/dl of fibrinogen increased. Resistin concentration increase 0.03 ng/ml (CI 95%: 0.003-0.049) for each mg/dl of LDL-cholesterol increased.

Circulating resistin concentrations are associated with different inflammatory markers, triglycerides, LDL cholesterol and anthropometric variables in morbid obese patients. Further studies are needed to explore these interesting relationships.