Dysregulated lipid storage and its relationship with insulin resistance and cardiovascular risk factors in non-obese Asian patients with type 2 diabetes

The prevalence of non-obese type 2 diabetes in Asians is up to 50%. This review aims to summarize the role of regional fat in the development of insulin resistance and cardiovascular risk in non-obese Asian type 2 diabetes as well as the role of intra-pancreatic fat and β-cell dysfunction. The body fat content of non-obese Asian type 2 diabetic patients is not different from that of non-diabetic subjects but the proportion of intra-abdominal and intra-hepatic fat are greater. Visceral fat contributes to insulin resistance and cardiovascular risk in non-obese Asian type 2 diabetes. Intra-hepatic fat and the hypertrophic abdominal subcutaneous adipocytes are associated with insulin resistance and cardiovascular risk in non-obese, non-diabetic Asian subjects. It may be true in non-obese Asian type 2 diabetic patients. The role of intra-myocellular lipid and insulin resistance is uncertain. Intra-pancreatic fat may not be involved in β-cell dysfunction in non-obese Asian type 2 diabetes.