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Updated: Jul 17, 2026

Semi-Automated Isolation of the Stromal Vascular Fraction from Murine White Adipose Tissue Using a Tissue Dissociator
Published on: May 19, 2023
Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 predicts adiposity in humans
Susan Kralisch1, Matthias Bluher, Anke Tonjes
1Department of Internal Medicine III, University of Leipzig, Ph.-Rosenthal-Str. 27, 04103 Leipzig, Germany.
Objective:
Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP)-1 is upregulated in fat of obese rodents and promotes adipose tissue development in these animals. However, it is unclear whether TIMP-1 independently predicts adiposity in humans and whether serum levels are increased in s.c. and visceral obesity.
Design:
Twenty-four lean, 16 s.c. obese, and 20 visceral obese subjects were studied.
Methods:
Plasma TIMP-1 concentrations were quantified using ELISAs and correlated to clinical parameters.
Results:
Plasma TIMP-1 levels were significantly different between lean (156 +/- 42 microg/l), s.c. obese (186 +/- 52 microg/l), and visceral obese (198 +/- 42 microg/l) subjects (P < 0.01). Furthermore, TIMP-1 correlated positively with body mass index (BMI), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), % body fat, fasting insulin, free fatty acids, cholesterol, leptin, interleukin-6, and negatively with adiponectin (P < 0.05). Moreover, TIMP-1 serum levels predicted % body fat but not WHR independent of age, sex, and plasma insulin.
Conclusions:
We demonstrate that increased TIMP-1 serum levels are found with increased adiposity in humans.

