[Tumor necrosis factor-alpha; a possible pathogenic factor in obesity in insulin resistant and non-insulin-dependent...

The role of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha in the development of insulin resistance has repeatedly been emphasized in the past few years. The present paper summarizes the data (including the authors' observations as well) focusing on the potential role of TNF-alpha in the pathogenesis of obesity and non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus: alteration of insulin receptor function, lipid metabolism, expression of sulphonylurea receptors, all of them suggested to be related to the TNF-alpha. The potential clinical relevances are shortly reviewed.