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Myocardial insulin resistance and cardiac complications of diabetes

E Dale Abel1

  • 1Program in Human Molecular Biology and Genetics, and Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes, The University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA. dale.abel@hmbg.utah.edu

Current Drug Targets. Immune, Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders
|August 11, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Obesity and type 2 diabetes can lead to heart failure, even without coronary artery disease. This review explores how insulin resistance in the heart contributes to cardiac dysfunction in these conditions.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Metabolic Disorders
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Cardiovascular disease is a significant cause of death in patients with obesity, type 2 diabetes, and metabolic syndrome.
  • While atherosclerosis, hypercoagulability, and hypertension are known contributors, a portion of excess cardiovascular mortality in diabetes is independent of coronary artery disease.
  • Diabetes is an independent risk factor for heart failure, with underlying mechanisms requiring clarification.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the evidence suggesting cardiac insulin resistance in obesity and type 2 diabetes.
  • To discuss the consequences of cardiac insulin resistance on heart structure, function, and metabolism.
  • To explore insights from transgenic mouse models regarding mechanisms linking cardiac insulin resistance and myocardial dysfunction.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing human and animal studies on cardiac insulin resistance in metabolic diseases.
  • Analysis of data from transgenic mouse models with altered cardiac insulin sensitivity.

Main Results:

  • Evidence suggests the heart can become insulin resistant in obesity and type 2 diabetes.
  • Cardiac insulin resistance may lead to detrimental changes in cardiac structure, function, and metabolism.
  • Transgenic mouse studies provide insights into the molecular mechanisms involved.

Conclusions:

  • Cardiac insulin resistance is a potential pathogenic factor in heart failure associated with obesity and type 2 diabetes.
  • Further research is needed to fully elucidate the mechanisms and therapeutic implications.
  • Understanding cardiac insulin resistance is crucial for managing cardiovascular complications in metabolic disorders.

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