Aim: to evaluate the relationship between insulin resistance and cutaneous vasomotor responses in patients with metabolic syndrome (MS).Patients with insulin resistance and MS, but without hypertension were divided into two groups: 18 patients with type-2 diabetes mellitus (without pronounced diabetic complications) (DM) and 18 patients without DM. 18 healthy subjects were selected as controls (C). The study groups were matched for age and sex. Insulin resistance was measured by HOMA-IR method. We recorded changes in laser Doppler flux (LDF; PeriFlux 4001, Perimed) on the foot. Basal LDF (b-LDF), postocclusive hyperemia (m1-LDF), vasoconstrictor response (v-LDF) to deep inspiration on the pulp of the toe (apical skin); and heat (44°C) induced hyperemia (m2-LDF) on the dorsum of the foot (non-apical skin) were estimated. Results: b-LDF and local skin temperature did not differ among the study groups (p>0.05). v-LDF was significantly less pronounced only in diabetics compared to healthy subjects (DM 31.8±13.7 vs. C 52.6±8.5 %, p<0.05). m1-LDF was decreased in both patient groups in comparison with the controls (p<0.05), but only in diabetics the decrease of m2-LDF was pronounced (DM 134±61 vs. C 192±78 PU, p<0.05). Our findings show that MS patients with insulin resistance have significant cutaneous vasomotor dysfunction.