Plasma resistin levels in asthmatics as a marker of disease state

Background. Resistin is a protein produced by adipoctyes and circulating macrophages that has been found to be associated with inflammatory states. Objective. To determine the levels of resistin in relation to asthma disease state and severity, we investigated a cohort of adult patients with asthma. Methods. A cohort of moderate to severe persistent asthma patients and control patients were recruited and underwent fasting labs to evaluate levels of serum glucose, C-reactive protein (CRP), and resistin. Results. No significant differences were found between the control and asthma group with respect to serum CRP at 0.78 ± 0.60 mg/dL and 0.48 ± 0.60 mg/dL, (p < 0.36) or glucose at 92.2 ± 11.9 mg/dL and 89.5 ± 7.2 mg/dL, (p < 0.084), respectively (mean ± SD). However, plasma resistin levels were found to be significantly elevated in asthma patients, 186 ng/mL (95%CI 169-202) compared with control patients 121 ng/mL (95%CI 90.4-151), (p < 0.005). Conclusions. Patients with asthma were found to have higher levels of resistin, and resistin levels were increased with disease severity in the asthma cohort.