title: Molecular and signaling mechanisms of atherosclerosis in insulin resistance.
abstract: Although the prevalence of cardiovascular complications is increased in insulin-resistant individuals, the underlying causes of this link have been elusive. Recent work suggests that several intracellular signal transduction pathways are inappropriately activated by hyperinsulinemia, hyperglycemia, increased free fatty acids, dyslipidemia, various inflammatory cytokines and adipokines--factors that are increased in insulin resistance. Once activated, substantial cross talk occurs between these pathways, especially a self-reinforcing cascade of vascular inflammation and cell dysfunction, greatly increasing the risk and severity of atherosclerosis in the insulin-resistant individual. We review several key cell-signalling pathways, describe how they are activated in they insulin-resistant state and the damage they induce, and discusses possible therapeutic approaches to limit vascular damage.
authors.affiliation: Division of Research, Carl T. Hayden VA Medical Center, 650 East Indian School Road, Phoenix, AZ 85012, USA.
authors.forename: Eric A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Schwartz
authors.forename: Peter D
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Reaven
mesh_terms: D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000378:metabolism; D002455:Cell Division; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000150:complications; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D020928:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / Q000502:physiology; D016328:NF-kappa B / Q000502:physiology; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D011493:Protein Kinase C / Q000502:physiology; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D015398:Signal Transduction
chemical_list: D016328:NF-kappa B; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D011493:Protein Kinase C; D020928:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases