Oxidative stress and diabetes: What can we learn about insulin resistance from antioxidant mutant mouse models?

► Oxidative stress is implicated as a cause of insulin resistance and diabetes. ► Obesity and insulin resistance are associated with elevated oxidative damage. ► Genetic antioxidant mutation has limited effect on insulin resistance in lean mice. ► Antioxidant over-expression protects mice from obesity-induced insulin resistance. ► Antioxidants may be beneficial in prevention of glucose metabolism dysfunction.