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Comparison of adipose tissue derived genes in endogenous Cushing's syndrome versus diet-induced obesity
Judit Denes1, Adrienn Zsippai2, Laszlo Kovacs1
1Division of Endocrinology, 2nd Department of Medicine, Hungarian Defense Forces - Military Hospital, Budapest, Hungary.
Introduction:
Dysregulation of adipokine secretion and action is a characteristic feature of obesity and a key clinical feature of Cushing's syndrome (CS). We have investigated whether endogenous glucocorticoid excess influences adipose tissue-derived gene expression.
Material And Methods:
mRNA expression of adipokines; adiponectin, resistin, tumour necrosis factor-a, interleukin-6 (IL-6), angiotensinogen (AGT), plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1, retinol binding protein 4, visfatin, and cystatin C was assessed by quantitative real-time RT-PCR in visceral adipose tissue removed during abdominal surgery of eight patients with CS, and six control patients.
Results:
We did not find any significant difference in the investigated genes; however, the almost significant overexpression of AGT and underexpression of IL-6 might be noteworthy (p = 0.06 in both cases).
Conclusions:
No significant differences were found in the expression of the investigated genes known as cardiometabolic risk factors. This indicates that there are no major differences between endogenous hypercortisolism or diet-induced obesity regarding the expression of adipokines involved in cardiometabolic disorders. However, the difference in AGT and IL-6 expression might be included in pathways affecting fat distribution in CS.