Mitogen-activated protein kinases, inhibitory-kappaB kinase, and insulin signaling in human omental versus subcutaneous adipose tissue in obesity.

MAPKs and inhibitory-kappaB kinase (IKK) were suggested to link various conditions thought to develop in adipose tissue in obesity (oxidative, endoplasmic reticulum stress, inflammation) with insulin resistance. Yet whether in obesity these kinases are affected in a fat-depot-differential manner is unknown. We assessed the expression and phosphorylation of these kinases in paired omental and abdominal-sc fat biopsies from 48 severely obese women (body mass index > 32 kg/m(2)).

Nelfinavir induces adipocyte insulin resistance through the induction of oxidative stress: differential protective effect of antioxidant agents.

Background: Antiretroviral therapy is frequently associated with adverse metabolic effects and lipodystrophy, but the role of HIV protease inhibitors and the mechanisms involved are poorly understood. The HIV protease inhibitor nelfinavir (NFV) impairs insulin signal propagation by inducing similar signalling defects to those induced by exposure to oxidative stress.

Aim: We set out to determine if oxidative stress is involved in NFV-induced insulin resistance in 3T3-L1 adipocytes, and whether antioxidant agents with unique modes of action can prevent this effect.