Resistin, Obesity, and Insulin Resistance — The Emerging Role of the Adipocyte as an Endocrine Organ

One hundred years ago, type 2 diabetes mellitus was considered a rare disease, but recently there has been an explosive increase in its incidence. About 16 million Americans have type 2 diabetes,1 and at least an equal number have impaired glucose tolerance. Insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia are characteristics of both type 2 diabetes and impaired glucose tolerance. These metabolic derangements, combined with the hypertension and dyslipidemia that are common in type 2 diabetes and impaired glucose tolerance, markedly increase the risk of cardiovascular, peripheral vascular, and cerebrovascular disease.Why has the incidence of type 2 diabetes increased so rapidly? Considerable . . .