Insulin exerts multiple biological actions relating to not only metabolism but also to endothelial functions (1, 2). Insulin has beneficial effects on the vasculature, primarily because of its ability to enhance endothelial nitric-oxide synthase (eNOS) 2 activation and expression. These effects, in turn, enhance the bioavailability of nitric oxide (3), which engenders a wide array of antiatherogenic effects. Global insulin resistance is a key feature of the metabolic syndrome leading to cardiovascular disease. In an insulin-resistant state, a systemic deregulation of the insulin signal leads to a combined deregulation of insulin-regulated metabolism and endothelial functions (4), resulting in glucose intolerance and cardiovascular disease. Insulin resistance is associated with endothelial dysfunction (5), a hallmark of atherosclerosis, and predicts adverse cardiovascular events (6). Therefore, endothelium-specific insulin resistance (impaired insulin-stimulated phosphorylation of Akt and eNOS) may play an important role in the development of cardiovascular diseases.Prostanoids have critical roles in the development of endothelial dysfunction (7). Thromboxane A 2 (TXA 2 ) is believed to be a prime mediator of a variety of cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases such as atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction, and primary pulmonary hypertension. TXA 2 perturbs the normal quiescent phenotype of endothelial cells (ECs). This results in leukocyte adhesion to the vessel wall as well as increased vascular permeability and expression of adhesion molecules on ECs, all important components of the inflammatory response. In smooth muscle cells, TXA 2 promotes proliferation (8) and migration, contributing to neointima formation (9). TXA 2 binds to the thromboxane A 2 receptor (TP), which has two isoforms TP␣ and TP in human (10 -12), activation of which is implicated in atherosclerosis and inflammation (13-16). Atherosclerosis is accelerated by diabetes and is associated with increased levels of TXA 2 and other eicosanoids that stimulate TP (14). TP expression and plasma levels of TP ligands are elevated, both locally and systemically, in several vascular and thrombotic diseases (17). Importantly, TP activation induces EC apoptosis (15, 18) and prevents tube formation (19) by inhibiting Akt phosphorylation (18). TP activation also inhibits vascular endothelial growth factor-induced EC migration and angiogenesis by decreasing Akt and eNOS phosphorylation (20). However, the regulatory mechanisms underlying Akt inhi-* This work was supported, in whole or in part, by National Institutes of Health Grants HL079584, HL074399, HL080499, HL089920, and HL096032. This work was also supported by a research award from the American Diabetes Association, a research award from the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, a grant from Oklahoma Center for Advancement of Science and Technology, and funds from the Travis Endowed Chair in Endocrinology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center.