Serum resistin increases in a postprandial state during liquid meal challenge test in healthy human subjects

The role of resistin in humans is controversial although resistin has been linked to atherosclerotic and inflammatory processes. In rodents, resistin expression is suppressed after food restriction while central administration of resistin promotes short-term satiety. However, the nature of postprandial responses in circulating resistin in humans is unknown. Therefore, we investigated postprandial resistin concentrations in a pilot study in 19 healthy subjects and 19 controls matched for age and body mass index (BMI). Serum resistin, insulin and non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) concentrations as well as plasma glucose and triglycerides were repeatedly assessed before and after ingestion of an isocaloric standardized liquid meal during a 300 min period. After consumption of liquid meal, serum resistin levels increased compared to fasting control (p = 0.037). Postprandial plasma glucose and serum insulin increased (p < 0.00 1) with lower glucose responses in females (p = 0.001) and lower insulin responses in males (p = 0.012). Plasma triglycerides increased and serum NEFA decreased with similar gender responses (p = 0.025 and p < 0.001, respectively). Serum resistin was not correlated to glucose, insulin, triglyceride, and NEFA responses to liquid meal challenge tests. The present data suggest that serum resistin increases postprandially in healthy humans. Additional studies are needed to elucidate normal 24-h daytime profiles in humans and differential response of serum resistin to macronutrient composition of meals.