The vicious circle of prostaglandin- and cytokine-dependent hepatic insulin resistance: a key role of prostaglandin E2

Background & aims: Hepatic insulin resistance and the ensuing impairment of hepatic glucose metabolism is a major contributor to hyperglycemia in metabolic syndrome and type II diabetes. In patients suffering from these ailments, a low-grade inflammation prevails besides an impaired fatty acid handling. Both contribute to the development of insulin resistance. While the impact of fatty acids and pro-inflammatory cytokines on the insulin signalling cascade are well established, the role of small lipid mediators like prostaglandins, which are released from resident liver macrophages and infiltrating immune cells,…