Long-chain ω6 polyunsaturated fatty acids in erythrocyte phospholipids are associated with insulin resistance in non-obese type 2 diabetics

Our results indicate that formation of long-chain ω6 fatty acids from 18:2ω6 by desaturation-elongation is impaired under insulin resistant conditions and reduced desaturase activities may be involved. In view of our results, we hypothesize that in insulin resistant conditions, insulin-mediated activation of Δ5 and Δ6 desaturases may not occur.