100. Inflammation in the visceral adipose tissue of obese subjects: Relationship with circulating inflammation and association with bariatric surgery outcomes

Abstract

The inflammatory state of the adipose tissue, in particular visceral adipose tissue, is believed to contribute to systemic chronic low-grade inflammation associated with obesity. Nevertheless, the precise characterization of the inflammatory profile of obese subjects, associating adipose and systemic inflammatory markers, is still needed. In addition, the question whether inflammatory specificities in obesity influence the outcomes of bariatric surgery, such as weight reduction, remains to be elucidated. To address these questions, thirty-seven obese patients were included in the present study and about 70% of them were followed up to fourteen months after bariatric surgery. Systemic concentrations of inflammatory markers were assessed using ELISA before bariatric surgery. Samples of visceral adipose tissue were extracted during bariatric surgery and gene expression of cytokines and immune cells markers were evaluated using qRT-PCR. Our results indicate that cytokines were strongly inter-correlated in the adipose tissue. In addition, we have found significant associations of adipose expression of macrophage and T cells markers with adipose expression and with systemic levels of cytokines, including TNF-α and IL-6. Importantly, a higher inflammatory state of the visceral adipose tissue before bariatric surgery predicted a lower weight reduction after surgery, notably at early stages post-surgery. Taking together, these findings highlight the importance of the inflammatory state of the visceral adipose tissue in obesity-related inflammation, and its relevance regarding its impact on outcomes of obesity treatments.