MAPK8 and metabolic syndrome: While TNF‐α appears to be more involved in the mechanism and progression of the metabolic syndrome (e.g., reduced insulin sensitivity through an increase in JNK1/2 activation (Solinas & Becattini, 2016)), IL‐6 is likely only a marker of metabolic syndrome since it has been shown to increase lipolysis and fat oxidation (Petersen & Pedersen, 2005).