CORRELATION OF TUMOUR NECROSIS FACTOR-α WITH OBESITY INDUCED INSULIN RESISTANCE IN TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS

Background: Obesity is a major cause of many metabolic disorders characterized by chronic inflammation that is linked with T2DM and insulin resistance. Tumour Necrosis Factor Alpha (TNF-I±) is remarkably higher in obese people. The aim of this study was to determine the levels of TNF-I± and its correlation with insulin resistance and body mass index in type 2 diabetic patients. Methods: This study was conducted at Diabetic Clinic of Mayo Hospital, Lahore. TNF-I± levels were determined and correlated with insulin resistance and body mass index in 90 obese type 2 diabetics. TNF-I± and serum insulin were determined using ELISA. Insulin resistance was calculated by HOMA-IR. Pearson correlation test was used to correlate TNF-I± with Insulin Resistance and body mass index, and p≤0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: There was a strong positive correlation of fasting insulin and HOMA-IR with TNF-I± (r=0.986, p<0.001). There was also strong positive correlation of TNF-I± with BMI. Conclusion: Increased inflammation in obese diabetics explains the role of TNF-I± in insulin resistance caused by obesity. Weight reduction in obese individuals will help in reducing TNF-I± levels and to improve insulin sensitivity in T2DM. Pak J Physiol 2018;14(2):18–20