TNF and Insulin resistance: Several studies have reported that adipocytes and adipose tissue-associated macrophages are important sources of pro-inflammatory mediators, such as interleukin (IL)-1, IL-6, IL-8, IL-18, tumor necrosis factor (TNF), and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP)-1, thus contributing to insulin resistance and chronic obesity-induced metabolic dysfunctions [6].