Serum Resistin Was Inversely Associated with Physical Activity in the C/C Genotype of SNP-420 in the General Japanese Population—The Toon Genome Study

In humans, resistin is predominantly expressed in monocytes and macrophages, and involved in insulin resistance, atherosclerosis, and cardiovascular diseases. We previously reported that the G/G genotype of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) at -420 (rs1862513) in the human resistin gene increased susceptibility to type 2 diabetes. Genetically, serum resistin was positively associated with the number of the G-allele at SNP-420 in the general Japanese population. Epigenetically, serum resistin was inversely associated with methylation of the C-allele at SNP-420. However, interaction between SNP-420 and environmental factors remains to be elucidated. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between serum resistin and physical activity, and the effect of SNP-420 on this association. The Toon Genome Study is a cohort study of Japanese community-dwelling subjects. A total of 1981 participants were cross-sectionally analyzed. Serum resistin was measured by ELISA. Physical activity was measured for 7 days using a waist-worn accelerometer (Lifecorder, Suzuken Co). Physical activity was also assessed using a questionnaire (the Japan Arteriosclerosis Longitudinal Study Physical Activity Questionnaire, JALSPAQ). Serum resistin was inversely associated with the quartile of moderate-intensity (3Mets or more) physical activity time (Q1 12.8, Q2 12.2, Q3 12.3, Q4 11.6 ng/ml; P for trend = 0.005; after adjustment for age, gender, and BMI). This inverse association was strongest in the C/C genotype of SNP-420. HOMA-IR was positively associated with serum resistin, and inversely associated with moderate-intensity physical activity time in the C/C genotype (Q1 1.51, Q2 1.52, Q3 1.36, Q4 1.32; P for trend = 0.01; after adjustment for age, gender, and BMI). Therefore, serum resistin and insulin resistance were inversely associated with physical activity in the C/C genotype of SNP-420 in the general Japanese population.