Resistin
Resistin is an inflammatory protein that is elevated in obesity and linked to insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes.
Plain English
Patient-Friendly Explanation
Resistin is an inflammatory protein that is elevated in obesity and linked to insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. It is produced mainly by immune cells within fat tissue. Higher levels go hand in hand with poorer blood sugar control, which is one reason excess weight raises the risk of diabetes.
Medical
Clinical Definition
Resistin is a cysteine-rich protein named for its association with insulin resistance; in humans it is secreted predominantly by macrophages and other immune cells rather than by adipocytes, in contrast to rodents. Circulating resistin correlates positively with visceral adiposity and inflammatory markers such as interleukin-6 and tumour necrosis factor-alpha, and prospective studies link elevated resistin with increased risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Resistin is thought to promote insulin resistance partly by up-regulating suppressor of cytokine signalling 3 (SOCS-3) and inhibiting AMPK signalling in metabolic tissues, and weight loss lowers circulating resistin levels.
Key Insight
Why It Matters
Resistin illustrates an important message we share with patients: excess fat is not inert — it actively drives inflammation that raises diabetes and heart-disease risk. Losing weight lowers these inflammatory signals.
Sources
Reviewed against standard medical references.
Medically reviewed by
Family Physician & Registered Acupuncturist, Accord Medical Clinic. MBBS (NUS), Graduate Diploma in Family Medicine (NUS), Graduate Diploma in Acupuncture (Singapore College of TCM).
Last reviewed: September 2026
This page is general health education, not medical advice. Whether any treatment is appropriate for you is a decision made in consultation after assessment.
