Long-term in vivo resistin overexpression induces myocardial dysfunction and remodeling in rats

► The long-term in vivo cardiovascular effects of resistin are investigated using AAV9. ► Resistin overexpression in the myocardium induced systolic dysfunction. ► Molecular markers of stress and hypertrophy are increased by resistin in vivo. ► Resistin overexpression induced oxidative stress, myocardial fibrosis and apoptosis. ► Resistin-induced oxidative stress may underlie mechanism governing cardiac remodeling.