TNFα expression of subcutaneous adipose tissue in obese and morbid obese females: relationship to adipocyte LPL activity and leptin synthesis

Abstract

Introduction: Tumor necrosis factor (TNFα) has been invoked as an adipostat. Accordingly, the adipose tissue expression of TNFα has been shown to be proportional to the degree of adiposity. The regulatory role of TNFα in obesity may be controlled by several mechanisms. These include the inhibitory effect on LPL activity, the mediation on glucose homeostasis or the effect on leptin. To assess the role of TNFα in obesity we measured adipocyte TNFα expression in 96 females with a wide range of adiposity and with or without type 2 diabetes. We analysed the relationship between TNFα expression, adipocyte LPL activity, insulin resistance and leptin in this population. Results: The TNFα and leptin expression of the adipose tissue in obese and morbid obese patients were significantly higher than in controls. Obese and morbid obese patients had slightly higher levels of LPL activity, but these differences were not significant. We observed a significant relationship between adipose TNFα expression and body mass index (r=0.35, Pr=−0.28, Pr=0.35, P<0.001). Conclusion: Our results indicate that obese women, even those with morbid obesity, over-express TNFα in subcutaneous adipose tissue in proportion to the magnitude of the fat depot and independently of the presence of type 2 diabetes. The TNFα system may be a homeostatic mechanism that prevents further fat deposition by regulating LPL activity and leptin production.