Mechanisms linking obesity to insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes

Kahn, Steven E.
Hull, Rebecca L.
Utzschneider, Kristina M.

¹Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology and Nutrition, Department of Medicine, VA Puget Sound Health Care System and University of Washington, 1660 South Columbian Way, Seattle, Washington 98108, USA.

doi:10.1038/nature05482

Author information Reprints and permissions information is available at npg.nature.com/reprintsandpermissions. The authors declare no competing financial interests. Correspondence should be addressed to S.E.K. ([email protected]).

Nature 444(7121):p 840-846, December 14, 2006.

Obesity is associated with an increased risk of developing insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. In obese individuals, adipose tissue releases increased amounts of non-esterified fatty acids, glycerol, hormones, proinflammatory cytokines and other factors that are involved in the development of insulin resistance. When insulin resistance is accompanied by dysfunction of pancreatic islet β-cells - the cells that release insulin - failure to control blood glucose levels results. Abnormalities in β-cell function are therefore critical in defining the risk and development of type 2 diabetes. This knowledge is fostering exploration of the molecular and genetic basis of the disease and new approaches to its treatment and prevention.