PERTURBATION IN IMMUNE-METABOLIC FUNCTION ASSOCIATED WITH OBESITY INDUCED INSULIN RESISTANCE IN HUMANS

Abstract

In this thesis, perturbation in immune-metabolic function associated with obesity induced insulin resistance was investigated. First, the mediatory role of adipocytokines, as biomarkers of inflammation in the link between abdominal obesity and insulin resistance, was explored in a multi-ethnic cross-sectional cohort of Asian subjects. Second, postprandial immune-metabolic responses to meal with different composition were evaluated in obese insulin resistant compared to lean insulin sensitive subjects in a cross-over randomized trial. In summary, results of the studies presented in this thesis clarify the role of adipocytokines as mediators for association between abdominal obesity and insulin resistance in different Asian ethnic group. This thesis also describes that different macronutrients in the diet have differential effect on postprandial immune-metabolic responses, and such responses are perturbed in obese insulin resistant individuals as compared to lean insulin sensitive individuals.