The Four Stages of Insulin Resistance Induced Chronic Diseases of Aging

Abstract

There is a fundamental connection between mitochondrial function, bioenergetics and insulin signaling. The dysfunction of mitochondria plays a causative role in metabolic and chronic diseases due to bioenergetic capacity impairment. In turn, insulin resistance is a major pathophysiological basis for type 2 diabetes, other metabolic syndromes and cardiovascular disease. Insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia is increasingly recognized as being correlated with accelerated cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s disease, as well as cancers of reproductive and gastrointestinal tissues. The connection between insulin resistance and mitochondrial dysfunction indicates their fundamental involvement in chronic diseases of aging. In this paper we provide an up-to-date review of insulin resistance and its connections to a number of pathologies as well as phases of insulin resistance progression.