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World J Gastroenterol. Jan 7, 2008; 14(1): 95-100
Published online Jan 7, 2008. doi: 10.3748/wjg.14.95
A paradox: Insulin inhibits expression and secretion of resistin which induces insulin resistance
Feng Liu, Hong-Qi Fan, Jie Qiu, Bin Wang, Min Zhang, Nan Gu, Chun-Mei Zhang, Li Fei, Xiao-Qing Pan, Mei Guo, Rong-Hua Chen, Xi-Rong Guo
Feng Liu, Xi-Rong Guo, Department of Pediatrics, Nanjing Maternity & Child Health Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210004, Jiangsu Province, China
Feng Liu, Hong-Qi Fan, Jie Qiu, Bin Wang, Min Zhang, Nan Gu, Chun-Mei Zhang, Li Fei, Xiao-Qing Pan, Mei Guo, Rong-Hua Chen, Xi-Rong Guo, Institute of Pediatrics of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, Jiangsu Province, China
Correspondence to: Xi-Rong Guo, Institute of Pediatrics Nanjing 210029, Jiangsu Province, China. xrguo@njmu.edu.cn
Telephone: +86-25-86862997
Received: August 14, 2007
Revised: September 17, 2007
Published online: January 7, 2008
Abstract

AIM: To confirm whether insulin regulates resistin expression and secretion during differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes and the relationship of resistin with insulin resistance both in vivo and in vitro.

METHODS: Supernatant resistin was measured during differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. L6 rat myoblasts and hepatoma cell line H4IIE were used to confirm the cellular function of resistin. Diet-induced obese rats were used as an insulin resistance model to study the relationship of resistin with insulin resistance.

RESULTS: Resistin expression and secretion were enhanced during differentiation 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. This cellular differentiation stimulated resistin expression and secretion, but was suppressed by insulin. Resistin also induced insulin resistance in H4IIE hepatocytes and L6 myoblasts. In diet-induced obese rats, serum resistin levels were negatively correlated with insulin sensitivity, but not with serum insulin.

CONCLUSION: Insulin can inhibit resistin expression and secretion in vitro, but insulin is not a major regulator of resistin in vivo. Fat tissue mass affects insulin sensitivity by altering the expression and secretion of resistin.

Keywords: Resistin; Insulin; Insulin resistance