Molecular mechanism of free fatty acids-induced insulin resistance

Insulin resistance (IR) is a complex metabolic disorder related to several diseases including type 2 diabetes (T2DM), hypertension and dyslipidemia. These diseases are all independent risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Lipid metabolism disorder has toxic effects on cells and may cause or aggravate IR in performance of elevated plasma levels of triglyceride (TG) and free fatty acids (FFA), the last one is an independent risk factor for IR. It has been clear that FFA may induce IR by endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, oxidative stress, apoptosis and inflammation, although the specific mechanisms remained unknown. The present paper summarizes the related molecules involved in the pathogenic process of IR and its mechanism, might provide a theoretical basis for the molecular mechanism of IR caused by FFA, and therapeutic reference for clinical treatment of IR and prevention of T2DM. DOI: 10.11855/j.issn.0577-7402.2017.01.16