Anfepramone effectsˈs evaluation over the expression profile of NLRP3 inflammasome, TXNIP, TLR4 and LEP in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of Mexican obese subjects

Abstract

Subjects (n = 42) with a body mass index (BMI) ≥30 kg/m2 who received Anfepramone 75 mg/day for six months were studied. Relative gene expression was quantified by real‐time PCR. Anthropometric and biochemical parameters were also measured. NLRP3, TXNIP, TLR4 and LEP expression levels increased after Anfepramone treatment (p ≤0.05). Parameters such as BMI and glucose concentration decreased after the period of treatment (p ≤0.01), whereas cholesterol and LDL cholesterol concentrations increased (p ≤0.01). Anfepramone treatment was effective for weight loss; however lipid profile was perturbed. Expression changes might be due to the raised on free fatty acids (FFA) which produce reactive oxygen species (ROS). ROS activate NLRP3 per se and through TXNIP, while FFA activate TLR4 leading to priming process. On the other hand the data highlight LEP high expression level being that the mechanism described is by central nervous system stimulation. Here we show the first results on expression of inflammatory genes after an obesity pharmacologic treatment; this knowledge will be helpful to improve drug management and to avoid secondary effects. We acknowledge Instituto Politécnico Nacional for its support to 20111112 project. We thank Productos Medix S.A. de C.V. for providing the Anfepramone treatment.