Background: Resistin, a novel hormone, got its recognition as a regulator of lipid metabolism in obese rodents. Human researches proved its role mainly in inflammation and to lesser extent in obesity.

Aim: To observe the relationship of serum resistin with body mass index (BMI) and lipid levels in hypertensives and ischemic heart disease patients as   compared to normal subjects.

Methodology: Eighty participants between the ages of thirty to fifty five years were distributed in four groups including normal subjects, first time diagnosed patients of hypertension, and first time diagnosed hypertensive cases of stable angina pectoris and myocardial infarction respectively. After history and general physical examination, fasting blood samples of the participants were tested for serum resistin by using the enzyme linked immunosorbent assay technique and lipid profile with commercially available enzymatic kits. Analysis of the data was performed by SPSS version17.0.

Results: In patients of research groups, statistically raised levels (mean±SD) of BMI, and serum values of resistin, triglycerides, low-density lipoproteins (LDL) while decreased high density lipoproteins (HDL) levels were documented in comparison with healthy subjects.

Conclusions: There are significantly higher values of body mass index, blood resistin, triglycerides and LDL while lower serum HDL levels in hypertensives and patients of ischemic heart disease as compared to normal participants.

Keywords: Resistin, ischemic heart disease, lipid profile, body mass index