Background: Resistin, a novel adipocytokine, has been suggested as representing a link between metabolic signals, inflammation and atherosclerosis. The aim of the present study was to investigate the alteration in level of plasma resistin in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) to uncover the role of resistin.
Methods and results: The 39 patients with ACS and 26 age-matched healthy subjects in this cross-sectional study were investigated. Plasma resistin levels were measured using radioimmunoassay. Plasma resistin levels were significantly increased in patients with ACS at 24 h after symptoms onset and remained at a high level for 1 week, and were significantly higher in patients with acute myocardial infarction than in those with unstable angina. In addition, plasma resistin level was correlated positively with peak plasma creatine kinase (CK), the MB isoform of CK and troponin I, and was correlated negatively with left ventricular ejection fraction. No correlation was found between plasma resistin level with level of metabolic parameters or inflammatory markers.
Conclusions: Plasma resistin levels in patients with ACS are elevated significantly within the first week after symptoms onset. Increased resistin levels may be a marker of myocardial ischemia and injury in ACS.