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World J Diabetes. May 15, 2010; 1(2): 36-47
Published online May 15, 2010. doi: 10.4239/wjd.v1.i2.36
Surrogate markers of insulin resistance: A review
Bhawna Singh, Alpana Saxena
Bhawna Singh, Department of Biochemistry, GB Pant Hospital, New Delhi 110002, India
Alpana Saxena, Department of Biochemistry, Maulana Azad Medical College & LN Hospital, New Delhi 110002, India
Author contributions: Singh B was responsible for drafting of the manuscript, study concept and design; and Saxena A for Critical revision of the manuscript, study concept and design.
Correspondence to: Bhawna Singh, Assistant Professor, Department of Biochemistry, GB Pant Hospital, New Delhi 110002, India. bhawna172@gmail.com
Telephone: +91-11-25280272
Received: January 18, 2010
Revised: April 29, 2010
Accepted: May 6, 2010
Published online: May 15, 2010
Abstract

Insulin resistance is a hallmark of obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases, and leads to many of the abnormalities associated with metabolic syndrome. Our understanding of insulin resistance has improved tremendously over the years, but certain aspects of its estimation still remain elusive to researchers and clinicians. The quantitative assessment of insulin sensitivity is not routinely used during biochemical investigations for diagnostic purposes, but the emerging importance of insulin resistance has led to its wider application research studies. Evaluation of a number of clinical states where insulin sensitivity is compromised calls for assessment of insulin resistance. Insulin resistance is increasingly being assessed in various disease conditions where it aids in examining their pathogenesis, etiology and consequences. The hyperinsulinemic euglycemic glucose clamp is the gold standard method for the determination of insulin sensitivity, but is impractical as it is labor- and time-intensive. A number of surrogate indices have therefore been employed to simplify and improve the determination of insulin resistance. The object of this review is to highlight various aspects and methodologies for current and upcoming measures of insulin sensitivity/resistance. In-depth knowledge of these markers will help in better understanding and exploitation of the condition.

Keywords: Insulin resistance; Markers; Insulin; Homeostatis model assessment; Quantitative insulin sensitivity check index