Resistin is a polypeptide (hormone) that is specifically secreted from adipocytes. It plays an important role in communication between adiposity and insulin resistance and it has been linked to the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Recently, −420C>G, a variant located in the promoter region of the resistin gene (RETN) (rs1862513) was identified. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between this polymorphism and the risk of myocardial infarction (MI) in the Tunisian population.

A total of 787 unrelated male Tunisian subjects including 455 healthy controls and 332 patients who had survived a first MI were prospectively recruited. Standard definitions and criteria for MI diagnosis were employed. Blood samples were obtained after an overnight fast. Serum glucose, TC and TG were measured by standardized enzymatic methods using commercial kits (Roche Diagnostics, Mannheim, Germany) on a Hitachi 912 analyzer. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood leukocytes according to standard methods. −420C>G polymorphism genotypes were determined by polymerase chain reaction followed by restriction analysis with 5 units of BbsI. Digested products were separated on 2.5% agarose gel with ethidium bromide staining.

The frequencies of RETN −420G allele in MI group, and control group were 0.45 and 0.41, which are met with the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. Compared with controls, there was no significant differences in distribution of genotypes and allele frequencies of −420C>G polymorphic site in MI patients and controls. In addition, there was no significant difference between the genotypes with lipid profiles.

Our data suggest that the RETN −420C>G polymorphism is not associated with an increased risk of MI in a Tunisian population.