Resistin: a new hormone that links obesity with type 2 diabetes

Abstract

A new hormone has been identified that links obesity to type 2 diabetes. It has been called resistin (for “resistance to insulin”), and, although first identified in mice, it has also now been found in humans. Its US discoverers believe that it goes some of the way to explaining how obesity predisposes people to diabetes (Nature 2001;409:307-12). Type 2 diabetes has long been observed to be associated with obesity. Insulin resistance is the hallmark of type 2 diabetes and is manifested all over the body. …