Horm Metab Res 2008; 40(9): 635-639
DOI: 10.1055/s-0028-1083810
Review

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

The Role of Inflammation in Vascular Insulin Resistance with Focus on IL-6

K. Andersen 1 , B. K. Pedersen 1
  • 1The Centre of Inflammation and Metabolism, Department of Infectious Diseases and CMRC, Rigshospitalet, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
Further Information

Publication History

received 25.10.2007

accepted 31.12.2007

Publication Date:
15 September 2008 (online)

Abstract

The present review focuses on the possible role of interleukin-(IL)-6 in vascular insulin resistance. The endothelium plays an important role in regulating the tone of the vasculature by releasing nitric oxide (NO) to the smooth muscles of the vessels, thereby regulating the distribution of blood flow to the various tissues in relation to their energy demand. A dysfunctioning endothelium has been associated with both initiation and progression of atherosclerotic cardiovascular (CV) disease and has been shown to predate the onset of hyperglycemia in the natural history of type 2 diabetes. It is likely that chronic low-level inflammation plays an important role in developing endothelial dysfunction mainly through proinflammatory actions of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α). TNF-α induces production of IL-6 and it has been suggested that a causal relationship exists between endothelial dysfunction and these cytokines. With regard to vascular insulin resistance, the available data point to a direct pathogenic role of TNF-α in mediating endothelial dysfunction, whereas with regard to IL-6 evidence is sparse and does not allow any firm conclusions.

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Correspondence

B. K. Pedersen

Centre of Inflammation and Metabolism –Rigshospitalet 7641

Blegdamsvej 9

2100 Copenhagen Ø

Denmark

Phone: +45/3545/77 97

Fax: +45/3545/76 44

Email: bkp@rh.dk

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