Regulation of insulin sensitivity by adipose tissue-derived hormones and inflammatory cytokines.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this review is to assess the role of adipose tissue-derived hormones and inflammatory cytokines in the pathogenesis of obesity-linked type II diabetes, with a special focus on articles published between December 2002 and December 2003.


RESULTS
Insulin resistance is widely recognized as a fundamental defect seen in obesity and type II diabetes. Although the molecular mechanisms triggering the development of insulin resistance remain elusive, recent studies have suggested that adipose tissue and adipose tissue-derived hormones and inflammatory cytokines play essential roles in the overall insulin sensitivity in vivo. Dysfunctions of adipose tissue can lead to systemic insulin resistance.


CONCLUSIONS
Understanding the regulation of the metabolic and secretory functions of adipose tissue, as well as its subsequent impact on overall insulin sensitivity, is becoming increasingly important given the therapeutic potential of targeting the root causes of insulin resistance in the treatment of type 2 diabetes and its associated complications, such as cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases.
Ruan
Hong
H
Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, 9 Cambridge Center, Rm 601, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA.
Lodish
Harvey F
HF
D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism*; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000378:metabolism; D006728:Hormones / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007333:Insulin Resistance / Q000502:physiology*; D009765:Obesity / Q000378:metabolism; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000378:metabolism
D001786:Blood Glucose; D016207:Cytokines; D006728:Hormones; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha