Insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome and endothelial dysfunction.

The increasing prevalence of obesity and diabetes mellitus in most industrialized countries, including China and India, is reaching epidemic proportions and requires intense studies and interventions. Insulin resistance appears to be the most relevant feature of the metabolic syndrome and is often the precursor of diabetes mellitus. Insulin resistance has been associated with endothelial dysfunction, which is considered the initial step in the process of atherosclerosis. In this brief review, we analyze the relationship between insulin resistance, endothelial function and cardiovascular events.