STAT3 and Insulin resistance: (ii) In particular, HIF-1α induction in adipocytes is critical in upregulating the expression of inflammatory mediators and in downregulating adiponectin expression, and this scenario can offer a major contribution to the development of insulin resistance and NAFLD, likely by involving the suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS3)–signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) axis.