Open AccessA Pilot Investigation of Visceral Fat Adiposity and Gene Expression Profile in Peripheral Blood Cells
Author(s) -
Mitsuaki Yamaoka,
Norikazu Maeda,
Seiji Nakamura,
Susumu Kashine,
Yasuhiko Nakagawa,
Aki Hiuge-Shimizu,
Keisuke Okita,
Akihisa Imagawa,
Yūji Matsuzawa,
Kazuo Matsubara,
Tohru Funahashi,
Iichiro Shimomura
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
plos one
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.99
H-Index - 332
ISSN - 1932-6203
DOI - 10.1371/journal.pone.0047377
Subject(s) - endocrinology , medicine , gene expression , biology , intra abdominal fat , inflammation , peripheral blood mononuclear cell , metabolic syndrome , adipose tissue , obesity , gene , visceral fat , genetics , insulin resistance , in vitro
Evidence suggests that visceral fat accumulation plays a central role in the development of metabolic syndrome. Excess visceral fat causes local chronic low-grade inflammation and dysregulation of adipocytokines, which contribute in the pathogenesis of the metabolic syndrome. These changes may affect the gene expression in peripheral blood cells. This study for the first time examined the association between visceral fat adiposity and gene expression profile in peripheral blood cells. The gene expression profile was analyzed in peripheral blood cells from 28 obese subjects by microarray analysis. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was performed using peripheral blood cells from 57 obese subjects. Obesity was defined as body mass index (BMI) greater than 25 kg/m 2 according to the Japanese criteria, and the estimated visceral fat area (eVFA) was measured by abdominal bioelectrical impedance. Analysis of gene expression profile was carried out with Agilent whole human genome 4×44 K oligo-DNA microarray. The expression of several genes related to circadian rhythm, inflammation, and oxidative stress correlated significantly with visceral fat accumulation. Period homolog 1 (PER1) mRNA level in blood cells correlated negatively with visceral fat adiposity. Stepwise multiple regression analysis identified eVFA as a significant determinant of PER1 expression. In conclusion, visceral fat adiposity correlated with the expression of genes related to circadian rhythm and inflammation in peripheral blood cells.