Reversal of Obesity- and Diet-Induced Insulin Resistance with Salicylates or Targeted Disruption of Ikkβ

We show that high doses of salicylates reverse hyperglycemia, hyperinsulinemia, and dyslipidemia in obese rodents by sensitizing insulin signaling. Activation or overexpression of the IκB kinase β (IKKβ) attenuated insulin signaling in cultured cells, whereas IKKβ inhibition reversed insulin resistance. Thus, IKKβ, rather than the cyclooxygenases, appears to be the relevant molecular target. Heterozygous deletion ( Ikkβ ^+/− ) protected against the development of insulin resistance during high-fat feeding and in obese Lep ^ob/ob mice. These findings implicate an inflammatory process in the pathogenesis of insulin resistance in obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus and identify the IKKβ pathway as a target for insulin sensitization.