Resistin and adiponectin levels in subjects with coronary artery disease and type 2 diabetes.

BACKGROUND

Resistin and adiponectin are implicated in insulin resistance and atherosclerosis. The objective of this study was to evaluate the association between plasma resistin levels and the presence of coronary artery disease (CAD) or diabetes compared to the controls. In a cross-sectional study, we measured glucose, fasting lipid panel, resistin, adiponectin, insulin, C-reactive protein (CRP) and TNF-alpha in 57 subjects with CAD, 58 subjects with diabetes compared to 45 normal control subjects.

RESULTS

Subjects with CAD compared to the control subjects had increased insulin resistance index (39+/-32 vs. 13.45+/-12.73 with p<0.0001), CRP levels (3.8+/-4.03 vs. 2.0+/-2.0 with p<0.05) and decreased levels of adiponectin (12.5+/-4.8 vs. 17.26+/-10.4 with p<0.0003). Subjects with diabetes compared to the controls had had increased insulin resistance index (69+/-19 vs. 13.45+/-12.73 with p<0.001), CRP levels (4.1+/-4.8 vs. 2.0+/-2.0 with p<0.01) and decreased levels of adiponectin (11.58+/-4.8 vs. 17.26+/-10.4 with p<0.001). Compared to the controls, there was no significant difference in the levels of resistin in subjects with CAD (4.92+/-3.2 vs. 4.1+/-2.4) as well as diabetes (4.92+/-3.2 vs. 4.6+/-2.6). Both CRP and resistin levels correlate with TNF-alpha (r=0.557, p<0.000001; r=0.84, p<0.000001).

CONCLUSIONS

The present study shows decreased plasma adiponectin levels in subjects with diabetes as well as in subjects with CAD is similar to the literature. Plasma levels of resistin in subjects with CAD or diabetes are similar to the controls. However, there was a strong correlation of resistin levels with inflammatory markers. This suggests resistin as an inflammatory marker associated with CAD.