Decreased splenic mRNA expression levels of TNF-alpha and IL-6 in diet-induced obese animals

J Physiol Biochem. 2004 Dec;60(4):279-83. doi: 10.1007/BF03167074.

Abstract

Obesity could be considered as a systemic low-grade inflammatory condition affecting inflammation markers. Adipose tissue synthesizes cytokines whose degree of elevation may depend on the obesity status. Recently, new information is collected on the cross-talking between immune system and adipose tissue in obesity. We report hereby that tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin 6 (IL-6) gene expression in spleen of diet-induced obese animals were markedly decreased (more than 50%) as a consequence of the high fat feeding during five weeks. Interestingly, a very significant negative correlation was found between splenic TNF-alpha mRNA levels and total fat pads (r = -0.806, p = 0.000). These findings support the hypothesis that TNF-alpha gene expression may follow different trends in obese animals adipocytes and splenocytes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adipose Tissue / immunology
  • Animals
  • Biomarkers
  • Dietary Fats / pharmacology
  • Immune System / physiopathology
  • Inflammation / genetics
  • Inflammation / immunology
  • Interleukin-6 / genetics*
  • Male
  • Obesity / genetics*
  • Obesity / immunology*
  • RNA, Messenger / analysis
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Spleen / physiology*
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / genetics*

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Dietary Fats
  • Interleukin-6
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha