Patent ID: 7553631

Claim:
A method of detecting insulin resistance or Metabolic Syndrome in a mammal comprising the steps of: a) measuring the level of a Retinol Binding Protein 4 (RBP4) protein, or a characteristic fragment thereof, in a biological sample obtained from the mammal, wherein the mammal has not been diagnosed with diabetes or cardiovascular disease; and b) comparing the level of RBP4 protein, or characteristic fragment thereof, in the biological sample to a normalized control level of RBP4 protein or characteristic fragment thereof, wherein the normalized control level is determined from levels of RBP4 protein or characteristic fragment thereof in samples obtained from non-obese, non-diabetic, non-insulin resistant mammals having normal glucose tolerance, wherein a statistically-significant elevated level of the RBP4 protein or characteristic fragment thereof in the biological sample, relative to the normalized control level, is indicative of insulin resistance or Metabolic Syndrome in the mammal.