Low molecular weight regulators of the intracellular insulin signal transduction as a correction method of the insulin resistance in the treatment of type 2 diabetes

Insulin resistance is the characteristic feature of type 2 diabetes. This condition is manifested in the reduction of peripheral tissues sensitivity to the biological action of insulin and is expressed in the inhibition of cellular glucose absorption and metabolism in response to hormonal stimulation. At the cellular level, disorders which are realized both at the receptor and the postreceptor levels can serve a prerequisite to the formation of insulin resistance and are associated with a change in the amount or dysfunction of major molecular signaling cascade. Thus, the insulin receptor, as well as the other related signaling molecules can be considered as ideal therapeutic targets for the correction of insulin resistance and thus low molecular weight effectors which act on the individual links of insulin signaling cascade may be positioned as a new generation of anti-diabetic agents. This report provides information on the regulators of insulin receptor cascade, main advantages and disadvantages of their impact on biological targets and prospects for their therapeutic use as anti-diabetic drugs.