Association between resistin and fibroblast growth factor 23 in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) is associated with cardiovascular disease and all-cause mortality in patients with diabetes mellitus. Insulin resistance has recently been reported to increase FGF23 levels, and resistin is a peptide that mainly regulates insulin resistance. However, few studies have investigated the association between FGF23 and resistin. A total of 422 patients with diabetes mellitus were recruited for this cross-sectional study to examine the association between resistin and intact FGF23. The mean ( ± standard deviation) age was 63.1 ± 11.9 years, and the median HbA1c was 6.7% (range, 6.1-7.1%). The mean estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was 66.2 ± 23.1 mL/min/m². Multiple regression analysis for resistin showed that logFGF23 (coefficient (Coef): 1.551; standard error (SE): 0.739; P = 0.036), C-peptide (Coef: 0.798; SE: 0.229; P = 0.001), ghrelin (Coef: 1.061; SE: 0.332; P = 0.001), intact parathyroid hormone (Coef: 0.022; SE: 0.099; P = 0.030), and eGFR (Coef: -0.091; SE: 0.017; P < 0.001) were all significantly associated with the resistin level. These associations were modified in patients with higher age, lower body mass index, and higher vitamin D levels. These results suggest that resistin is positively associated with serum FGF23 levels.