An emerging link between insulin resistance and inflammation.

Since the proposal of insulin resistance by Professor Reaven about 30 years ago, it has been well known that individuals with insulin resistance are at greatly increased risk of having a combination of atherosclerosis risk factors, including glucose intolerance or diabetes, dyslipidemia characterized by elevated triglyceride, low high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol concentrations, and hypertension. In addition, it has been demonstrated that insulin resistance can also predispose an individual to the development of several other chronic diseases such as coronary artery disease, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, polycystic ovary syndrome, hypothyroidism, and possibly several forms of cancer. In view of the great impact of the described disorders on human health, an understanding of the pathogenesis of insulin resistance is of prime importance.