Hormonal
Obesity and central adiposity drive insulin resistance and hypertension through the dysregulation of adipokines (elevated TNF-α, IL-6, leptin; reduced adiponectin), which activate inflammatory pathways like NF-κB and RAAS.
Excess body fat, especially around the abdomen, releases inflammatory hormones (adipokines) that block insulin action and raise blood pressure. This biological process, driven by cytokines like TNF-α and IL-6, makes weight loss and blood sugar control harder. Addressing obesity through lifestyle changes or medications that target these pathways can improve insulin sensitivity and reduce cardiovascular risk.
A dysregulation in adipokine secretion characterised by elevated pro-inflammatory adipokines (TNF- α, RESISTIN, IL-6) alongside reduced adiponectin compromises insulin signaling and subsequently contributes to hyperglycemia and insulin resistance
Why this rating
The paper extensively details the causal chain from obesity to adipokine dysregulation to insulin resistance and hypertension.
Source
Epigenetic regulation in type II diabetes: linking molecular mechanisms to clinical management
Maryam Chaudhry et al. · Journal of Diabetes & Metabolic Disorders · 2026
DOI 10.1007/s40200-025-01831-1
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