Abstract
This review focuses on the recent input of gene profiling on adipose tissue. In the subcutaneous white adipose tissue (scWAT) the very low calorie diet (VLCD) induced a decrease in the mRNA levels for the antilipolytic alpha2-adrenergic receptor associated with changes in catecholamine-induced adipocyte lipolytic capacity.
Pangenomic microarray studies in human scWAT revealed that a panel of inflammatory markers and acute phase reactants were over expressed in obese compared to lean subjects. Caloric restriction improved the inflammatory profile of obese subjects through a decrease of pro-inflammatory factors and an increase of anti-inflammatory molecules.
Obesity now clearly appears as chronic low-grade inflammation state. Modulation of the inflammatory pathways may represent new therapeutic targets for the treatment of obesity-related .complications.