Adipocyte function and insulin resistance

The importance of free fatty acids (FFA) and adipocytokines released from adipocytes in the development of insulin resistance is discussed in this review article. FFA may cause insulin resistance through so-called Rundle cycle and may also inhibit glucose uptake by skeletal muscles. Adipocytokines, bioactive substances secreted from adipose tissue may have important roles in occurrence of insulin resistance. For example, TNF-alpha from adipocytes reduces tyrosine kinase activity of the insulin receptor in obesity. A novel collagen-like protein, adiponectin inhibits TNF-alpha induced cell phenomena and its reduction at obesity may be one of molecular mechanism of insulin resistance.