Pathogenesis of Lipid Disorders in Insulin Resistance: a Brief Review

Purpose of reviewInsulin resistance (IR) is recognized to play an important role in the pathogenesis of dyslipidemia. This review summarizes the complex interplay between IR and dyslipidemia in people with and without diabetes.Recent findingsIR impacts the metabolism of triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C) by several mechanisms. Trials with insulin sensitizing therapies, including biguanides and thiazolidinediones, have provided inconsistent results on lipid lowering in people with and without diabetes. In this review, we focus on the pathophysiological interplay between IR and dyslipidemia and recapitulate lipid and lipoprotein data from insulin-sensitizing trials.SummaryFurther research elucidating the reciprocal relationship between IR and dyslipidemia is needed to better target these important risk factors for cardiovascular disease.