title: Infliximab and insulin resistance.
abstract: Insulin resistance is the most important pathophysiologic feature of obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus and prediabetic states. TNF-alpha, a proinflammatory cytokine, plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of inflammation-associated insulin resistance during the course of rheumatic diseases. Therapies aimed at neutralizing TNF-alpha, such as the monoclonal antibody infliximab, represent a novel approach for the treatment of rheumatic diseases and allow to obtain significant results in terms of control of the inflammatory process. In this article we reviewed the scientific evidence published in the literature about a potential role of TNF-alpha blockade in improving insulin resistance in non-diabetic rheumatic patients.
authors.affiliation: Rheumatology Research Unit, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Catanzaro UMG, Catanzaro, Italy. francesco.ursini@yahoo.it
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ursini
authors.forename: Saverio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Naty
authors.forename: Rosa Daniela
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Grembiale
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D000069285:Infliximab; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy; D012216:Rheumatic Diseases / Q000150:complications*; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D000069285:Infliximab