Clinical Section

Obesity, Inflammation, and Insulin Resistance - A Mini-Review
Maximilian Zeyda, Thomas M. Stulnig

Clinical Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria

Address of Corresponding Author

Gerontology 2009;55:379-386 (DOI: 10.1159/000212758)

  Key Words

• Obesity
• Adipose tissue
• Inflammation
• Macrophages
• Insulin resistance
• Type 2 diabetes mellitus

  Abstract

The association of obesity, insulin resistance, and chronic low-grade inflammation has been evident for several years by now. Since obesity, insulin resistance, and inflammation all are related to aging as well, the mechanisms underlying this association are of critical importance for gerontology. Although several molecular and cellular mechanisms by which inflammatory events decrease the sensitivity to insulin in obese patients have recently been elucidated, the pathogenesis of obesity-induced insulin resistance is still obscure in many aspects. This review aims at giving a general view on the known mechanisms and summarizing the recent progress. Research currently focuses on adipose tissue inflammation as predominantly driven by adipose tissue macrophages, but also related alterations in other organs (liver, muscle, pancreas) have to be considered. Moreover, novel approaches for treatment and prevention of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes by targeting obesity-induced inflammatory processes are discussed here.

Copyright © 2009 S. Karger AG, Basel

  Author Contacts

Thomas M. Stulnig, MD
Department of Medicine III, Clinical Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism
Währinger Gürtel 18-20, AT-1090 Vienna (Austria)
Tel. +43 1 40400 4368, Fax +43 1 40400 7790
E-Mail thomas.stulnig@meduniwien.ac.at

  Article Information

Received: September 29, 2008
Accepted: November 17, 2008
Published online: April 8, 2009
Number of Print Pages : 8
Number of Figures : 0, Number of Tables : 0, Number of References : 61