The in vitro effects of resistin on the innate immune signaling pathway in isolated human subcutaneous adipocytes

Context: Obesity-associated inflammation is a contributory factor in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM); the mechanisms underlying the progression to T2DM are unclear. The adipokine resistin has demonstrated proinflammatory properties in relation to obesity and T2DM. Objectives: The objectives of this study were to characterize resistin expression in human obesity and address the role of resistin in the innate immune pathway; to examine the influence of lipopolysaccharide, recombinant human resistin (rhResistin), insulin, and rosiglitazone in human adipocytes; and, finally, to analyze the effect of rhResistin on the expression of components of the nuclear factor-κB pathway and insulin signaling cascade. Methods: Abdominal sc adipose tissue was obtained from patients undergoing elective liposuction surgery (n = 35; age, 36–49 yr; body mass index, 26.5 ± 5.9 kg/m2). Isolated adipocytes were cultured with rhResistin (10–50 ng/ml). The level of cytokine secretion from isolated adipocytes was ...