The role of p38 MAPK in FFA-induced hepatic insulin resistance has been studied in hepatocytes,4 where p38 MAPK stabilized PTEN (protein phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome 10), an antagonist of the effects of phosphoinositide 3-kinase.4 Akt is downstream of phosphoinositide 3-kinase and the current study shows that the p38 MAPK inhibitor prevents IH-induced impairment in hepatic Akt activation. This evidence concerns the gene PTEN and Insulin resistance.