The role of resistin in colorectal cancer

BackgroundTo date the role of resistin in colorectal cancer (CRC) is far from being elucidated. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between serum resistin levels and CRC in relation to known risk/protective factors including anthropometric, metabolic, inflammatory parameters as well as lifestyle individual characteristics.Methods40 CRC patients and 40 controls were enrolled. Body weight, height, waist circumference and blood pressure were recorded. Fasting plasma glucose, lipids, C-reactive protein (CRP) and resistin levels were measured. Metabolic Syndrome (MS) was defined according to the harmonized definition.ResultsResistin levels were significantly higher in CRC patients than in controls (p = 0.028) and gradually increased with tumor stage progression (p = 0.042). A high resistin level was statistically significant determinant of CRC after adjusting for age, sex, body mass index and lifestyle parameters (p = 0.029). Resistin showed a strong association with CRP levels (p ≤ 0.0001). In stepwise regression analysis CRP remained the only independent predictor of both resistin levels (p = 0.001) and CRC risk (p = 0.021).ConclusionsThese results clarify the nature of the association between resistin and CRC risk suggesting that the proinflammatory state of cancer, rather than the clinical diagnosis of CRC itself or its link with obesity and MS, may govern this association.

► To date little is known about the resistin–colorectal cancer link.
► We found a positive association between serum resistin level and colorectal cancer risk.
► The association has found to be adiposity-independent.
► The association has found to be dependent from the proinflammatory state of cancer.