Alterations in Resistin Expression After Thermal Injury

BACKGROUND Burn injury, it was hypothesized, may induce changes in resistin expression that contribute to postburn metabolic derangements. This study examined resistin gene expression, serum levels of resistin protein, and glucose levels in burned mice. METHODS Ten male Balb-c mice were anesthetized and then given a 30% total burn surface area using heated probes. Burned and sham-burned mice were killed at 2, 4, 24, and 48 hours. The total ribonucleic acid from gonadal fat tissues was isolated for the measurement of resistin gene expression using real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. Serum levels of resistin, insulin, and glucose were measured. Statistical analysis was performed by two-way analysis of variance using Bonferroni’s test to find differences between groups. All p values less than 0.05 were considered significant. RESULTS Increases in resistin gene expression and serum resistin levels were detected in the burned animals, and these correlated with relative insulin resistance. CONCLUSION The findings suggest a potential role for resistin in the pathophysiology of the metabolic response to injury.