Adipose Expression of Tumor Necrosis Factor-α: Direct Role in Obesity-Linked Insulin Resistance
Gökhan S. Hotamışlıgil, Narinder S. Shargill, Bruce M. Spiegelman
Abstract
Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) has been shown to have certain catabolic effects on fat cells and whole animals. An induction of TNF-alpha messenger RNA expression was observed in adipose tissue from four different rodent models of obesity and diabetes. TNF-alpha protein was also elevated locally and systemically. Neutralization of TNF-alpha in obese fa/fa rats caused a significant increase in the peripheral uptake of glucose in response to insulin. These results indicate a role for TNF-alpha in obesity and particularly in the insulin resistance and diabetes that often accompany obesity.
Topics & Concepts
Tumor necrosis factor alphaAdipose tissueInsulin resistanceEndocrinologyInternal medicineObesityDiabetes mellitusInsulinBiologyInflammationType 2 diabetesMedicineAdipokines, Inflammation, and Metabolic DiseasesAdipose Tissue and MetabolismDiabetes and associated disorders