Question

Discuss the various immune, biochemical and physiological mechanisms that may bring insulin resistance about and explain how insulin resistance differs from non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) [20 marks]

Answer 1

VARIOUS WAYS OF INSULINE RESISTANCE-

Insulin helps regulate our blood sugar levels, and people whose bodies do not make enough insulin — or are resistant to it — are exposed to diabetes and obesity. ... This suggests the existence of an important link between chronic inflammation, poor immune responses, and insulin resistance.

Biochemical mechanisms of insulin resistance. ... The insulin receptor tyrosine kinase is required for insulin to elicit subsequent biological signalling. Recent studies have identified several endogenous substrates of the insulin receptor kinase, including one called insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS-1).

Insulin reduces blood glucose by inducing glucose uptake in insulin-sensitive tissue such as skeletal muscle, fat and heart. Insulin also inhibits glucose production in liver, kidney and small intestine in the control of blood glucose

INSULIN VS NON INSULINE-

Without insulin, cells cannot absorb sugar (glucose), which they need to produce energy. Type 2 diabetes (formerly called adult-onset or non–insulin-dependent diabetes) can develop at any age. ... As type 2 diabetes gets worse, the pancreas may make less and less insulin. This is called insulin deficiency.