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FOREWORD
Insulin resistance is generally taken to mean as a reduced ability of insulin to stimulate glucose transport and
utilization. It is a major problem associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus (non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus)
and is increasing rapidly worldwide. As least one-in-ten people today are destined, on current trends, to develop
diabetes at some point during their lifetime. The total number of individuals with diabetes worldwide is scheduled to
double in a generation. It is not however well known that insulin resistance also increases the risk of cardiovascular
disease.
The progress in molecular biology, genetics, epidemiology and in clinical applications notwithstanding, much more
needs to be done. It will be of great importance to identify the molecular mechanisms of insulin resistance and
establish most effective combinatorial therapies.
The book entitled Glucose homeostasis and insulin resistance edited by dr. Leszek Szablewski provides a broad
overview of the molecular, biochemical, and clinical aspects of glucose metabolism and insulin resistance. The
chapters will make the reader acquainted with a variety of topics ranging from glucose metabolism and glucose
transporters, the hormonal regulation of glucose homeostasis, to insulin resistance and characterization of novel
pharmacological approaches on emerging targets for the treatment of diabetes. The non-pharmacological modes of
therapy, physical exercise, diet, and weight loss are also included.

Prof. Jacek Malejczyk

Chair and Department of Histology and Embryology,
Center of Biostructure,
Medical University of Warsaw,
Poland