Endocrine Abstracts

Ectopic lipid deposition in liver and skeletal muscle plays a major role in the pathogenesis of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes (T2D). Furthermore, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a major predisposing factor for nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and hepatocellular cancer and is an independent risk factor of cardiovascular disease. Understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms by which ectopic lipid promotes insulin resistance in liver and identifying...

Skeletal muscle is the principal tissue responsible for insulin-stimulated glucose disposal and is thus the major site of peripheral insulin resistance. Urocortin 2 (Ucn2), a corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) family member and the type 2 CRF receptor (CRFR2) are highly expressed in skeletal muscle. To determine the physiological role of Ucn2, we generated mice deficient in this peptide. Using glucose and insulin tolerance tests and hyperinsulinemic euglycemic glucose clamp ...