Genetic variants at the resistin locus are associated with the plasma resistin concentration and cardiovascular risk factors

Objective: To examine the relation of the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the resistin gene on the plasma resistin concentration and cardiovascular risk factors. Methods and results: Plasma resistin concentrations were measured and SNP-420C>G, +157C>T, and +299G>A genotyped in our Finnish population-based cohort. Association analyses were performed in the control group of the cohort(n = 515). In addition, the hypertension group (n = 505), representing a high-risk group, was analyzed for these SNP's and the frequencies were compared with the low-risk control group. Resistin concentration differed significantly between the SNP genotypes, the common homozygotes having the lowest concentration in every SNP (p<0.01). After adjustment for age, sex, and BMI SNP -420C-C homozygotes had the lowest IGFBP-1 (p = 0.001), the highest GHbA(1c)(p = 0.028) in all the subjects and the lowest quick index (p<0.001)and the highest insulin (p<0.001) among female subjects of the control cohort. Plasma triglycerides were the lowest among G-G homozygotes (p = 0.006). In addition, the SNP -420C allele was more frequent among hypertensive than control cohort (p = 0.018). Conclusions:The results imply that genetic variation seems to have a role in the determination of plasma resistin level. SNP -420C-C homozygozity status seems to be associated with more deleterious metabolic profile. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.