Figure 1

The relationship between metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance, hyperinsulinemia and hyperglycemia (overt type 2 diabetes). An insulin-resistant state following nuclear peroxisome proliferator activated receptors (PPAR) deactivation is the key phase of metabolic syndrome initiation. Afterwards, there are 2 principal pathways of metabolic syndrome development: 1) With preserved pancreatic beta cells function and insulin hypersecretion which can compensate for insulin resistance. This pathway leads mainly to the macrovascular complications of metabolic syndrome; 2) With massive damage of pancreatic beta cells leading to progressively decrease of insulin secretion and to hyperglycemia (e.g. overt type 2 diabetes). This pathway leads both to microvascular and macrovascular complications. Time-related scheme.