Insulin resistance: Cellular and clinical concepts

Insulin resistance is defined as a clinical state in which a normal or elev ated insulin level produces an attenuated biologic response. Specifically, the biologic response most studied is insulin-stimulated glucose disposal, yet the precise cellular mechanism responsible is not yet known. However, t he presence of insulin resistance is observed many years before the onset o f clinical hyperglycemia and the diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes. Insulin resi stance at this stage appears to be significantly associated with a clusteri ng of cardiovascular risk factors predisposing the individual to accelerate d cardiovascular disease. An overview of insulin resistance and the associa ted clinical insulin resistant state will be discussed.