Circulating irisin was positively correlated with quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI, r = 0.178, p = 0.045) and triglycerides (r = 0.149, p = 0.022); while irisin was negatively correlated with waist circumference (WC, r = − 0.185, p = 0.037), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR, r = − 0.176, p = 0.047), fasting insulin (r = − 0.2, p = 0.024), serum creatinine (r = − 0.243, p = 0.006), homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR, r = − 0.189, p = 0.033). Here, INS is linked to Insulin resistance.