Research
Energy balance
Reduced mitochondrial density and function predispose individuals to intramyocellular lipid accumulation, which subsequently leads to insulin resistance.
For those with lean insulin resistance or aging-related metabolic issues, maintaining mitochondrial health (via exercise) is crucial to prevent lipid buildup that triggers insulin resistance.
GoodSupportsHIGH confidence
reduced mitochondrial function may predispose these individuals to intramyocellular lipid accumulation and insulin resistance.
Why this rating
Supported by MRS studies in humans and electron microscopy showing reduced mitochondrial density in insulin-resistant offspring.
Source
Molecular Mechanisms of Insulin Resistance in Humans and Their Potential Links With Mitochondrial Dysfunction
Katsutaro Morino et al. · Diabetes · 2006
DOI 10.2337/db06-s002
narrative_reviewCited 856×
Read the paper DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10
More from this paper
- Increased intramyocellular lipid metabolites (fatty acyl CoAs and diacylglycerol) activate serine/threonine kinase cascades (e.g., PKC-theta), which phosphorylate IRS-1 on serine residues, thereby inhibiting insulin-stimulated glucose transport and causing skeletal muscle insulin resistance.Good
- In the liver, increased diacylglycerol activates PKC-epsilon, which reduces IRS-2 tyrosine phosphorylation, leading to decreased glycogen synthase activation and increased gluconeogenesis, causing hepatic insulin resistance.Good
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