Macronutrient Mediated Inflammation and Oxidative Stress: Relevance to Insulin Resistance, Obesity and Atherogenesis.

Abstract

CONTEXT\nThe intake of macronutrients as components of Western dietary pattern leads to oxidative stress and inflammation.\n\n\nEVIDENCE ACQUISITION\nData was largely retrieved from our previous and most recent work. Pubmed and Google scholar were searched for recent articles on the effect of macronutrients/dietary intake on inflammation, insulin resistance, obesity and atherogenesis. The most relevant, high quality articles were included in our review.\n\n\nEVIDENCE SYNTHESIS\nOur previous work has demonstrated the molecular mechanisms of macronutrient mediated oxidative stress and inflammation. With the induction of inflammation, pro-inflammatory molecules potentially interfere with insulin signal transduction, thus causing insulin resistance. In addition, other molecules promote atherogenic inflammation. More recently, our work has also shown that certain foods are non-inflammatory or anti-inflammatory and thus, do not interfere with insulin signaling. Finally, since obesity is induced by chronic excessive caloric intake, it is characterized by an increase in the expression of pro-inflammatory molecules which are induced acutely by a Western diet. Caloric restriction including fasting is associated with a reduction in oxidative and inflammatory stress.\n\n\nCONCLUSIONS\nThis review summarizes and attempts to provide an up to date profile of the molecular mechanisms involved in macronutrient-mediated oxidative/inflammatory stress and its potential consequences. An understanding of these underlying mechanisms is crucial for making appropriate dietary choices.