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Updated: Jul 9, 2026

Isolation and Culture of Human Mature Adipocytes Using Membrane Mature Adipocyte Aggregate Cultures (MAAC)
Published on: February 13, 2020
Hormonal regulation of interleukin-6 production in human adipocytes
V Vicennati1, A Vottero, C Friedman
1Endocrine Unit, S. Orsola Hospital, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
Objective:
To elucidate the hormonal regulation of interleukin-6 (IL-6) production by human adipose tissue and its relation to leptin.
Design:
In vitro study. Human adipocytes were incubated with dexamethasone (with or without RU486), norepinephrine and epinephrine (with or without propranolol), or insulin.
Measurements:
IL-6 and leptin secretion by human adipocytes.
Results:
A gradual increase in IL-6 secretion by adipocytes during differentiation was observed. A positive correlation was found between basal IL-6 release and both glycerol 3-phosphate dehydrogenase activity--a marker of adipocyte differentiation-and leptin release. Dexamethasone decreased IL-6 secretion and increased leptin secretion in a dose-dependent manner. Both catecholamines increased IL-6 and leptin secretion. The effects of dexamethasone and catecholamines on IL-6 and leptin were abrogated by RU486 and propranolol, respectively. Incubation with insulin resulted in a dose-dependent stimulation of IL-6 and leptin secretion.
Conclusions:
IL-6 is produced by human adipocytes and is a potential marker of adipocyte differentiation. Furthermore it is a hormonally regulated cytokine, suppressed by glucocorticoids, and stimulated by catecholamines and insulin in physiological concentrations.
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