New Clues to Cause of Obesity-Associated Insulin Resistance

[admin]

Obesity is associated with insulin resistance, but scientists still aren't really sure why that happens. The results of a new study from the University of California, San Diego, School of Medicine sheds some light on just what the mechanism might be that triggers insulin resistance.

According to a press release, "Obese adipose, or fat, tissue is characterized by the presence of macrophages, specialized cells that usually fight infection. Adipose tissue macrophages (ATMs) accumulate in fat tissue as body weight increases. Growing evidence shows that ATMs are a significant contributor to inflammation in obesity – inflammation that leads to insulin resistance, resulting in Type 2 diabetes."

Jerrold Olefsky, M.D., Distinguished Professor of Medicine and Associate Dean for Scientific Affairs at UC San Diego, states, “Recent studies showed that a decrease in ATMs is associated with a decrease in adipose tissue inflammation and a reduction in insulin resistance, while an increase in ATMs is associated with a further deterioration of insulin sensitivity.”

It is already known that losing weight and decreasing body fat improves insulin sensitivity. This study used laboratory mice, but it is not that far-fetched to think that the same mechanisms would apply for humans.

Knowing why obesity leads to insulin resistance is important because it might lead to new advances in diabetes treatment someday. But in the meantime, weight loss and exercise do help when managing type 2 diabetes and can improve how the body uses insulin.