April 4, 2005
Other, Type 2
Question from India:
We have read about new research in London that they have traced out one important reason for insulin resistance in obese patients: their liver function shows inflammation. A regular mild dose of aspirin was found beneficial in reducing insulin resistance. Can you confirm this? Do you advise your obese patients to take aspirin?
Answer:
Low dose aspirin is already recommended for patients at increased risk for cardiovascular disease. It is known that increased fat deposition and inflammation may accompany insulin resistance. Anything that can decrease the inflammation may be helpful. Whether it will be as easy as the use of aspirin, I am not sure. This is already used routinely in patients with diabetes. It is the hormones called cytokines, a whole family of hormones, that are increased.
JTL
