Ectopic lipid storage and insulin resistance: a harmful relationship.

J Borén, M-R Taskinen, S-O Olofsson, M Levin

Department of Molecular and Clinical Medicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden. Jan.Boren@wlab.gu.se

Journal of internal medicine 2013 Jul

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Obesity increases the risk of metabolic diseases, including insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes, as well as cardiovascular disease. In addition to lipid accumulation in adipose tissue, obesity is associated with increased lipid storage in ectopic tissues, such as skeletal muscle and liver. Furthermore, lipid accumulation in the heart may result in cardiac dysfunction and heart failure. It has recently been demonstrated that intracellular lipid accumulation in ectopic tissues leads to pathological responses and impaired insulin signalling. Here, we will review the current understanding of how lipid storage and lipid droplet physiology affect the risk of developing metabolic diseases. © 2013 The Association for the Publication of the Journal of Internal Medicine.

Citation

J Borén, M-R Taskinen, S-O Olofsson, M Levin. Ectopic lipid storage and insulin resistance: a harmful relationship. Journal of internal medicine. 2013 Jul;274(1):25-40