Adiponectin Expression in Liver, Omental Fat, and Peripheral Circulation in Morbidly Obese Patients Undergoing Roux‐en‐Y Gastric Bypass

Abstract

Adiponectin, a peptide hormone, promotes anti‐inflammatory and anti‐atherogenic pathways in the human body, and enhances insulin sensitivity. Hypoadiponectinemia is associated with obesity and other metabolic disorders. The degree of adiponectin dysregulation in patients with obesity appears to be linked to NAFLD (non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease) the hepatic manifestation of the metabolic syndrome. In NAFLD hyperinsulinemia could be a consequence of hypoadiponectinemia. Consequently, it is necessary to determine the level and source of hepatic adiponectin expression. This research is part of the IRB approved clinical trial GHS # 1207–27. Observations and analysis will be conducted on fifty morbidly obese patients that are undergoing Roux‐en‐Y gastric bypass. Immunohistochemistry using a specific anti‐adiponectin antibody shows distribution of adiponectin in liver and omental fat tissue. Adiponectin transcript abundance is assayed using qPCR following the MIQE guidelines. Additionally, circulating levels of total adiponectin are assayed at baseline and 12 weeks post‐surgery. An attempt to use the body‐on‐a‐chip (BOAC) to mimic modulations in adiponectin expression is underway. The BOAC combines computer models of the human body (physiologically based‐pharmacokinetic‐pharmacodinamic PBPK‐PD model) with microfabricated models based on the PBPK and living cells in each compartment. This research is funded by a pilot outreach grant from the Center on Microenvironment and Metastasis (CMM) at Cornell University and a physician's grant from the Guthrie Foundation Investigator‐Initiated Research Grant.