Abstract
BACKGROUND: The purpose of this research was to study the gene expression of interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) and adiponectin (AdipoQ) genes in the visceral (omental, mesenteric) and subcutaneous adipose tissue depots in metabolic syndrome (MS). We studied 23 women with MS, with a mean age of 50.7 ± 4.5 years and mean body mass index (BMI) of 45.6 ± 9.8 kg/m(2). The control group included 10 women, with a mean age of 40.6 ± 8.7 years and normal BMI (22.3 ± 3.7 kg/m(2)). The gene expression levels in the omental (OAT), mesenteric (MAT) and subcutaneous (SAT) adipose tissues were assessed by quantitative real-time PCR. FINDINGS: Increased gene expression levels of IL-6 and TNF-α were detected in MAT in patients with MS, compared with the control group (p < 0.05 and p < 0.005, respectively). Significant positive correlations were observed between IL-6 mRNA expression levels in OAT and the content of CD14 + cells in the peripheral blood (r = 0.55, p < 0.05), as well as between NF-κB and VEGF-A mRNA levels in OAT (r = 0.43, p < 0.05) in patients with MS. The AdipoQ gene expression levels in OAT were significantly decreased in women with MS compared with the control group (p < 0.05). In addition, there were inverse correlations between AdipoQ gene levels in MAT and serum CRP levels (r = -0.63, p < 0.05), as well as between AdipoQ gene levels in MAT and serum IL-6 levels (r = -0.46, p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: These data demonstrate that proinflammatory gene expression of MAT in women with MS was increased compared with the control group. The AdipoQ gene expression levels in OAT were significantly decreased in women with MS compared with the control group.