LCN2 and Obesity: However, this finding is in contrast to other studies showing (i) that LCN2 deficiency in mice protects against developing aging- and obesity-induced insulin resistance (97), (ii) elevated quantities LCN2 contribute to insulin resistance in humans (98), and (iii) increased LCN2 expression acts as a protective mechanism to counteract obesity-induced glucose intolerance by decreasing food intake and promoting adaptive β-cell proliferation (23).