Insulin resistance and the autonomic nervous system

Insulin resistance in skeletal muscle, the liver, and white adipose tissue is associated with obesity and might be in the pathway of the development of type 2 diabetes. Increased sympathetic activity is also associated with obesity and might contribute to the development and/or progression of insulin resistance, diabetes, hypertension, and the metabolic abnormalities of conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome. There is a linear relation between both sympathetic activity and body mass, and sympathetic activity and insulin resistance. Acute sympathetic activation induces insulin resistance and endothelial dysfunction, on the other hand, autonomic withdrawal improves both insulin sensitivity and endothelial dysfunction. Targeting the sympathetic nervous system for the treatment of the cardiometabolic abnormalities of obesity seems like a great candidate for the arsenal of tolls needed to treat these conditions.