Insulin resistance is a common pathophysiological basis of several diseases, such as:type 2 diabete mellitus,obesity,hypertension,hyperlipidemia,coronary heart disease and cerebrovascular accident. Recent data have suggested a key role for tumor necrosis factor α(TNF α) in the pathogenesis of insulin resistance. TNF α mRNA and protein level were elevated in multiple genetic rodent models of insulin resistance/obesity and insulin resistance subjects or type 2 diabete mellitus subjects .And after TNF α injection to normal rats or healthy human,significant insulin resistance was induced. The possible mechanisms of TNF induced insulin resistance were as follows:1) TNF α can increase blood insulin-antagonistic hormones,2) TNF α can inhibit the transcription of C/EBP,3) TNF α can interfere with insulin-induced signal transduction by P55TNF receptor and ceramide. Therefore,inhibition of TNF α production and action may allow for new treatments of disorders involving resistance to insulin.
