The interplay between inflammatory signaling cascades and insulin signaling pathways suggests that inflammation, IR, and obesity might converge principally due to “gut-induced endotoxemia.”[44] Under conditions of gut dysbiosis, the tight junction proteins integral to the intestinal epithelial barrier experience downregulation, thereby undermining its structural integrity. The gene discussed is INS; the disease is obesity due to melanocortin 4 receptor deficiency.