Obesity, inflammation, and insulin resistance

Abstract

Obesity is a pressing public health concern as it leads to a collection of abnormalities often termed the metabolic syndrome. Molecular studies are revealing novel pathways by which obesity-associated hormonal, nutrient, and tissue factors can stimulate the chronic low-grade inflammation that leads to insulin resistance. Signaling interactions between proinflammatory immune cells, particularly macrophages and lymphocytes, and insulin target cells in the liver and adipose tissue are key to this process and provide potential opportunities for the development of targeted therapies to improve insulin sensitivity and correct energy imbalance.