ABSTRACT
Diabetes is a group of ailments characterised by high glucose in the blood (hyperglycaemia). Diabetes is characterised either by insufficient insulin secretion, the inability of body to utilise glucose, or both. The Centers for Disease Control and Preservation (CDC) state that the chance of cardiovascular disease and stroke resulting from diabetes and resultant death is 2–4 times greater than in non-diabetic subjects. The irresponsiveness of the target cell, organ or organism to respond to the exposed insulin level is known as insulin resistance (IRes), which is mainly recognised by hyperinsulinaemia. Insulin resistance is one of the major consequences of obesity, resulting from the increased level of free fatty acids in the blood. It is said to be one of the major pre-symptoms of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Individuals with insulin resistance need to have more insulin secreted in order to utilise glucose. Thus, insulin resistance creates a bridge between obesity and diabetes. Insulin resistance is also one of the primary ingredients of a collective pathophysiological signature known as metabolic syndrome (MS). The three primary members of metabolic syndrome consist of insulin resistance, hypertension and dyslipidaemia; the latter two are eventual consequences of insulin resistance. Hypertrophy of adipocytes results in increased secretion of certain adipocytokines such as resistin and TNF-α and decreased secretion of adiponectin, which together are said to be other factors responsible for IRes. Lastly, IRes is also a resultant of dysfunctional insulin receptor and GLUT-4 receptor.
