This cytokine also played a role in mediating the effects of palm-mac-CM on L6 myoblasts (Samokhvalov et al., 2008), while TNFα is generally well-established as a mediator of IR, as infusion leads to reduced whole body insulin-mediated glucose uptake in humans (Plomgaard et al., 2005), while knockout of TNFα or its receptors protect mice from obesity (Hotamisligil et al., 1994, Uysal et al., 1997). The gene discussed is TNF; the disease is obesity due to melanocortin 4 receptor deficiency.