Insulin resistance can be broadly defined as a subnormal biological response to endogen or exogen insulin. This definition may pertain to many biological actions of insulin in many tissues of the body. Insulin is essential for normal growth and development; and for normal homeostasis of glucose, fat and protein metabolism. Understanding the signaling patways involved in insülin action could lead to a beter understanding of the pathophysiology of insulin resistance associated with type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome, and the development of cardiovascular diseases. Insulin resistance has an important role in the pathogenesis of the type 2 diabetes. Insulin resistance has been shown to be associated with prevalent atherosclerosis and endothelial dysfunction. Thus the recognition of insulin resistance seems to have clinical relevance in identifying subjects at high risk for type 2 diabetes and/ or cardiovascular disease.

Keywords: Insulin resistance, atherosclerosis, type 2 diabetes