Resistin gene overexpression in adipose tissue of SD rats with high-fat diet and its correlation with leptin and insulin

Objective To observe expression of resistin gene in adipose tissue of SD rats fed with high-fat diet and its correlation to insulin resistance, diabetes mellitus and leptin. Methods Using RT-PCR to mRNA from adipose tissue, the products were obtained, purified, constructed and squenced. Once its squence was verified, semi-quantitative RT-PCR and Northern Blot were employed to study its expressions in adipose tissues of rats with different diets. Oral glucose tolerance test and insulin release test were performed in 2 groups of rats. Results (1) The resistin gene was successfully constructed and sequenced, which was in accordance with the data of genbank. (2) Compared with the control, the expression of resistin in adipose tissue of high-fat diet rats was significantly enhanced, and blood glucose, serum insulin and leptin levels were also elevated in high-fat diet rats (P0.05). (3) The expression of leptin-receptor in hypothalamus tissue of high-fat diet rats was reduced as compared with normal diet rats. Conclusion Resistin is expressed in adipose tissue of rats and the expression level varied in different diet rats, being up-regulated in rats with high-fat diet. Resistin may act as an antecedent singal of insulin resistance as well as diabetes mellitus, and its effect seems to be related, at least partially, to leptin and leptin receptor.