Farhat Ijaz, Rana Khurram Aftab, Syed M Zubair, Rana Rakhshan Aftab.
Correlation of tumour necrosis factor-alpha with obesity induced insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Pak J Physiol Jan ;14(2):18-20.

Background: Obesity is a major cause of many metabolic disorders characterized by chronic inflammation that is linked with T2DM and insulin resistance. Tumour Necrosis Factor Alpha (TNF-a) is remarkably higher in obese people. The aim of this study was to determine the levels of TNF-a and its correlation with insulin resistance and body mass index in type 2 diabetic patients. Methods: This study was conducted at Diabetic Clinic of Mayo Hospital, Lahore. TNF-a levels were determined and correlated with insulin resistance and body mass index in 90 obese type 2 diabetics. TNF-a and serum insulin were determined using ELISA. Insulin resistance was calculated by HOMA-IR. Pearson correlation test was used to correlate TNF-a with Insulin Resistance and body mass index, and p <= 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: There was a strong positive correlation of fasting insulin and HOMA-IR with TNF-a (r=0.986, p<0.001). There was also strong positive correlation of TNF-a with BMI. Conclusion: Increased inflammation in obese diabetics explains the role of TNF-a in insulin resistance caused by obesity. Weight reduction in obese individuals will help in reducing TNF-a levels and to improve insulin sensitivity in T2DM.

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