Resistin and postburn insulin dysfunction.

Background: Postburn insulin dysfunction is a significant contributor to morbidity and mortality. A satisfactory mechanism for explaining this phenomenon remains elusive; however, resistin has been postulated to be involved. Initially discovered as an insulin antagonist secreted from adipose tissue in murine models, resistin's function in humans has been more obscure.

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.