The relationship between insulin resistance and cardiovascular system disorders

Abstract

The metabolic syndrome is a cluster of more or less related metabolic and cardiovascular derangements including visceral obesity, insulin resistance , dislipidemia, hypertension and glucose intolerance. This syndrome is characterized by a primary cellular defect in insulin action due to disorders in insulin signal transduction (insulin is unable adequately to achieve its biological effects). Under these conditions, insulin resistance, in combination with hyperinsulinemia causes a numerous metabolic and cardiovascular disorders, that are leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. From pathophysiological point of view, insulin resistance, as well as adipokines and fatty acids released from metabolically active visceral fat tissue, significantly contributes to development of many chronic diseases (diabetes mellitus /diabetes mellitus/ type 2, hypertension, accelerated atherosclerosis and its cardiovascular and cerebrovascular complications, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, polycystic ovary syndrome and some malignant diseases / breast cancer, etc./). Having in mind increase of metabolic syndrome prevalence in future, it is necessary to take preventive actions to decrease risk factors (inappropriate diet rich in carbohydrates and saturated fat, obesity, smoking, sedentary lifestyle and physical inactivity). Except to lifestyle changes, usage of hypocaloric diet and increase level of physical activity, in patients with metabolic syndrome it is necessary to apply appropriate medical treatment of some components of the syndrome. Although a numerous studies related to this global medical problem are carrying out, scientists are still far from a complete understanding of the molecular basis of this problem.