Background: Adipocytokine resistin is an inflammatory mediator and a biomarker of metabolic and cardiovascular diseases. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between the serum resistin concentration and blood pressure, insulin resistance, lipid profile, white blood cell, and cardio respiratory function in obese and lean men.

Materials and Methods: In this descriptive-analytical study, thirty-eight obese and lean men were selected. After 12 h fasting, blood samples were collected and general characteristics of the subjects were assessed.

Results: Serum resistin concentration was higher in obese than in lean men (P<0.01), and was positively correlated with the insulin resistance index (The Homeostatic Model Assessment-Insulin Resistance) only in obese men (r=0.40, P=0.002). The resistin level was positively correlated with systolic blood pressure (obese: r=0.34, P=0.008, lean: r=0.31, P=0.004) and white blood cell (obese: r=0.19, P=0.001, lean: r=0.15, P=0.004), while negatively correlated with cardio respiratory function index (VO2max) (obese: r=-0.41, P=0.003, lean: r=-0.36, P=0.005). No significant correlation was observed between the serum resistin level and lipid profile and diastolic blood pressure in the obese and lean men. Only VO2max in lean men (P=0.005), and insulin resistance and VO2max in obese men (P=0.002, and P=0.009, respectively) were predictive of the resistin level.

Conclusion: The obese men have higher resistin levels compared to the lean men and this higher level is associated with higher insulin resistance. It seems that the insulin resistance and cardio respiratory function can be predictive of the resistin level.