
The Associated Press features research by Preeti Kishore, M.B.B.S., which proposes a mechanism linking obesity and poor health. Dr. Kishore's lab infused the blood of overweight but otherwise healthy volunteers with free fatty acids, which are found in elevated levels in obese individuals. Their bodies immediately stopped responding effectively to insulin. Additionally, the infusions triggered certain immune cells to overproduce PAI-1, an inflammatory protein that has previously been linked to insulin resistance, heart disease and diabetes. The report was published in Science Translational Medicine. Dr. Kishore is assistant professor of medicine. (Tuesday, March 02, 2010)
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