Expression of Tumor Necrosis Factor-α Gene in Omental Adipose Tissue of Obesity and Insulin Resistance Patients

Objective To study the effect of tumor necrosis factor(TNF) α gene in pathogenesis of obesity and insulin resistance. Methods (1)The initial study comprised 10 obesity and insulin resistance patients(body mass index, BMI≥30 kg/m\+2, fasting blood insulin level 20 μIU/ml) and 10 normal individuals(BMI 25 kg/m\+2), RNA was extracted from omental adipose tissue. (2)Semi quantitative RT PCR was conducted to compare the expression of TNF α gene in omental adipose tissue of obesity and insulin resistance patients with normal individuals. Results In omental adipose tissue, the level of TNF α RNA was higher in obesity and insulin resistance patients than in normal controls. Conclusion (1)TNF α RNA level increases in omental adipose tissue of obesity and insulin resistance patients. (2)In obesity patients, the action of TNF α in limiting fat accumulation may be abnormal and this could result in obesity.