SLC2A4 and Insulin resistance: Furthermore, insulin resistance has been demonstrated to have negative effects on myocardial function: a decreased myocardial glucose uptake, caused by a reduced availability of GLUT-4 sarcolemmal transporters, which results in a switch from aerobic glycolysis to a greater utilization of free fatty acids and in an increased oxidative stress and proinflammatory status (37); an activation of cardiomyocyte authopaghy, which causes loss of contractile cells (38); an increased deposition of the extracellular matrix and collagen associated with reduction of the degradation mechanisms (39).