Research Article Details
Article ID: | A53077 |
PMID: | 15553597 |
Source: | Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis |
Title: | Insulin sensitivity and hepatic steatosis in obese subjects with normal glucose tolerance. |
Abstract: | BACKGROUND AND AIM: Hepatic steatosis has recently been associated with insulin resistance and other metabolic abnormalities as a possible feature of the metabolic syndrome, but it is still uncertain how hepatic steatosis and insulin sensitivity are connected. Furthermore, obesity is a well characterized insulin resistant condition that is often associated with hepatic steatosis. The aim of this study was to verify whether hepatic steatosis further worsens insulin sensitivity in obese subjects by comparing the degree of insulin sensitivity in obese subjects with normal glucose tolerance on the basis of the presence or absence of hepatic steatosis. METHODS AND RESULTS: We analyzed 86 obese patients whose alcohol intake was less than 20 g/day and who showed no signs of viral hepatopathy. All of the subjects had normal glucose tolerance as shown by an oral glucose tolerance test. Insulin resistance was estimated using the homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) method and the diagnosis of steatosis was determined by an ultrasound scan of the liver. The subjects were comparable in terms of body mass index (BMI), lipid profile and serum uric acid levels; those with hepatic steatosis were slightly older and tended to have higher systolic blood pressure and fasting glycemia levels. The HOMA values were significantly higher in the group with hepatic steatosis (4.48 +/- 2.22 vs 3.11 +/- 1.47, p=0.002). There was no linear correlation between HOMA and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels, but a close linear correlation between HOMA and BMI (r=0.40; p<0.001). The effect of hepatic steatosis on HOMA remained significant after adjusting for age and gender (covariance analysis, p=0.006). When BMI was added to the covariance analysis, hepatic steatosis retained its statistical significance. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that hepatic steatosis can increase insulin resistance independently of obesity. |
DOI: | 10.1016/s0939-4753(04)80005-x |

Strategy ID | Therapy Strategy | Synonyms | Therapy Targets | Therapy Drugs | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
S01 | Improve insulin resistance | insulin sensitizer; insulin resistance; glucose tolerance | Biguanide: increases 5-AMP activated protein kinase signaling; SGLT-2 inhibitor; Thiazalidinedione: selective PPAR-γ agonists; GLP-1 agonist | Metformin; Empagliflozin; Canagliflozin; Rosiglitazone; Pioglitazone; Liraglutide | Details |
Diseases ID | DO ID | Disease Name | Definition | Class | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
I05 | 9352 | Type 2 diabetes mellitus | A diabetes that is characterized by chronic hyperglycaemia with disturbances of carbohydrate, fat and protein metabolism resulting from defects in insulin secretion, insulin action, or both. A diabetes mellitus that is characterized by high blood sugar, insulin resistance, and relative lack of insulin. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diabetes, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diabetes_mellitus_type_2 | disease of metabolism/inherited metabolic disorder/ carbohydrate metabolic disorder/glucose metabolism disease/diabetes/ diabetes mellitus | Details |
I14 | 9970 | Obesity | An overnutrition that is characterized by excess body fat, traditionally defined as an elevated ratio of weight to height (specifically 30 kilograms per meter squared), has_material_basis_in a multifactorial etiology related to excess nutrition intake, decreased caloric utilization, and genetic susceptibility, and possibly medications and certain disorders of metabolism, endocrine function, and mental illness. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Obesity | disease of metabolism/acquired metabolic disease/ nutrition disease/overnutrition | Details |
Drug ID | Drug Name | Type | DrugBank ID | Targets | Category | Latest Progress | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
D328 | Serine | Chemical drug | DB00133 | SRR | Improve insulin resistance | Under clinical trials | Details |
D316 | S-adenosyl-L-methionine | Chemical drug | DB00118 | GNMT cofactor | Antiviral | Under clinical trials | Details |
D182 | Insulin | Biological drug | DB00030 | INSR agonist; CPE modulator&product of | -- | Under clinical trials | Details |
D199 | L-alanine | Chemical drug | DB00160 | KYNU | -- | Failed in clinical trials | Details |