title: Mechanisms of glucocorticoid-induced insulin resistance: focus on adipose tissue function and lipid metabolism.
abstract: Glucocorticoids (GCs) are critical in the regulation of the stress response, inflammation and energy homeostasis. Excessive GC exposure results in whole-body insulin resistance, obesity, cardiovascular disease, and ultimately decreased survival, despite their potent anti-inflammatory effects. This apparent paradox may be explained by the complex actions of GCs on adipose tissue functionality. The wide prevalence of oral GC therapy makes their adverse systemic effects an important yet incompletely understood clinical problem. This article reviews the mechanisms by which supraphysiologic GC exposure promotes insulin resistance, focusing in particular on the effects on adipose tissue function and lipid metabolism.
authors.affiliation: Division of Endocrinology, Mount Sinai Medical Center, One Gustave Levy Place, Box 1055, New York, NY 10029, USA. Electronic address: eliza.geer@mssm.edu.
authors.forename: Eliza B
authors.initials: EB
authors.lastname: Geer
authors.affiliation: Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Beth Israel Medical Center, 317 East 17th Street, 8th Floor, New York, NY 10003, USA.
authors.forename: Julie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Islam
authors.affiliation: Division of Endocrinology, Mount Sinai Medical Center, One Gustave Levy Place, Box 1055, New York, NY 10029, USA.
authors.forename: Christoph
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Buettner
mesh_terms: D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007333:Insulin Resistance / Q000502:physiology*; D050356:Lipid Metabolism / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D005938:Glucocorticoids
keywords: Adipose tissue; Cushing syndrome; Glucocorticoids; Insulin resistance; Lipids; Lipolysis