The present invention provides materials and methods for modulating FATP expression and/or activity in vivo. In particular, the present invention concerns an oligonucleotide which inhibits VEGF-B expression for use in the treatment or prophylaxis of type II diabetes or metabolic syndrome wherein the oligonucleotide is selected from (a) an antisense oligonucleotide that inhibits VEGF-B transcription or translation or an expression vector which expresses such an oligonucleotide or (b) a dsRNA that affects RNA interference or expresses such a dsRNA.