Fig. 5.

Insulin resistance is a time-dependent organ and tissue specific phenomenon. Insulin resistance contributes to the dysregulation of peripheral vascular resistance, resulting in an increase of blood pressure. In arterial hypertension, insulin resistance participates to the development of target organ damage. The persistence of insulin resistance induces the metabolic abnormalities that account for development of type 2 diabetes. The increased caloric intake and the sedentary habit are the principal environmental factors that account for the development and progression of insulin resistance