Thus, it has been suggested that circulating IL-6 plays an important role in the development of insulin resistance [44] and atherosclerosis through its effects on metabolism: reducing hepatic insulin sensitivity and glucose uptake by adipocytes, and causing raised plasma insulin levels, hyperglycaemia, and hyperlipidaemia (reviewed by Eder and co-workers [42]). The gene discussed is INS; the disease is atherosclerosis.