Relation between insulin sensitivity and plasma tumour necrosis factor alpha in subjects with impaired glucose tolerance

ABSTRACT

The aim of the present study has been to search for a possible relation between insulin resistance and plasma tumour necrosis factor-a [TNF-alpha] in a group of subjects with impaired glucose tolerance [IGT]. Forty adult men with IGT [Group I] and twenty matched control subjects with no family history of diabetes mellitus [Group II] were included. Insulin resistance was assessed by measurement of Insulin Sensitivity Index [ISI]. Plasma TNF-alpha levels were measured using enzyme linked immunosorbant assay. The insulin sensitivity indices were significantly lower and plasma TNF-alpha was significantly higher in IGT subjects [Group I] as compared to normal controls [Group II]. There was a negative correlation between insulin sensitivity indices and plasma TNF-alpha concentrations in IGT subjects. TNF-alpha was significantly correlated to BMI, fasting blood glucose, serum triglyceride levels and inversely correlated to HDL- cholesterol. These results indicate that TNF- alpha is an important mediator of insulin resistance syndrome and may be involved in the pathogenesis of impaired glucose tolerance and type 2 diabetes mellitus