Elevated serum monocyte chemoattractant protein-4 and chronic inflammation in overweight subjects

Preeclampsia at term: evidence of disease heterogeneity based on the profile of circulating cytokines and angiogenic factors

BACKGROUND

Intravascular inflammation and an antiangiogenic state have been implicated in the pathophysiology of preeclampsia. On the basis of the profiles of their angiogenic/antiangiogenic factors, women with preeclampsia at term may be classified into 2 subgroups with different characteristics and prevalence of adverse outcomes. This study was undertaken to examine whether these 2 subgroups of preeclampsia at term also show differences in their profiles of intravascular inflammation.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to determine the plasma profiles of cytokines and chemokines in women with preeclampsia at term who had a normal or an abnormal angiogenic profile.

STUDY DESIGN

A nested case-control study was conducted to include women classified into 3 groups: women with an uncomplicated pregnancy (n=213) and women with preeclampsia at term with a normal (n=55) or an abnormal (n=41) angiogenic profile. An abnormal angiogenic profile was defined as a plasma ratio of placental growth factor and soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 multiple of the median <10th percentile for gestational age. Concentrations of cytokines were measured by multiplex immunoassays.

RESULTS

Women with preeclampsia at term and an abnormal angiogenic profile showed evidence of the greatest intravascular inflammation among the study groups. These women had higher plasma concentrations of 5 cytokines (interleukin-6, interleukin-8, interleukin-12/interleukin-23p40, interleukin-15, and interleukin-16) and 7 chemokines (eotaxin, eotaxin-3, interferon-γ inducible protein-10, monocyte chemotactic protein-4, macrophage inflammatory protein-1β, macrophage-derived chemokine, and thymus and activation-regulated chemokine compared to women with an uncomplicated pregnancy. By contrast, women with preeclampsia at term and a normal angiogenic profile, compared to women with an uncomplicated pregnancy, had only a higher plasma concentration of monocyte chemotactic protein-4. A correlation between severity of the antiangiogenic state, blood pressure, and plasma concentrations of a subset of cytokines was observed.

CONCLUSION

Term preeclampsia can be classified into 2 clusters. One is characterized by an antiangiogenic state coupled with an excessive inflammatory process, whereas the other has neither of these features. These findings further support the heterogeneity of preeclampsia at term and may explain the distinct clinical outcomes.

The causal effect of cytokine cycling levels on osteoarthritis: a bidirectional Mendelian randomized study

Objective

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most prevalent joint disease globally, serving as a primary cause of pain and disability. However, the pathological processes underlying OA remain incompletely understood. Several studies have noted an association between cytokines and OA, yet the causal link between them remains ambiguous. This study aims to identify cytokines potentially causally related to OA using Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis, informing early clinical diagnosis and treatment decisions.

Methods

We conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) on 12 OA traits involving 177,517 cases and 649,173 controls from 9 international cohorts. For discovery MR analysis, we used 103 cytokines from two European populations as instrumental variables (IVs). Concurrently, another European population OA GWAS database (36,185 cases and 135,185 controls) was used to replicate MR analysis, employing the inverse variance weighted (IVW) method as the primary analytic approach. Additional methods tested included MR Egger, Weighted median, and Weighted mode. We merged the MR findings through meta-analysis. Heterogeneity testing, level pleiotropy testing (MR Egger intercept test and MRPRESSO), and sensitivity analysis via Leave One Out (LOO) were conducted to verify result robustness. Lastly, reverse MR analysis was performed.

Results

The meta-analysis merger revealed a correlation between CX3CL1 cycle levels and increased OA risk (OR=1.070, 95% CI: 1.040-1.110; P<0.010). We also observed associations between MCP4 (OR=0.930, 95% CI: 0.890-0.970; P<0.010) and CCL25 (OR=0.930, 95% CI: 0.890-0.970; P<0.010) with reduced OA risk. The sensitivity analysis results corroborate the robustness of these findings.

Conclusion

Our MR analysis indicates a potential causal relationship between CX3CL1, MCP4, CCL25, and OA risk changes. Further research is warranted to explore the influence of cytokines on OA development.

Obesity, Dietary Fats, and Gastrointestinal Cancer Risk-Potential Mechanisms Relating to Lipid Metabolism and Inflammation

Obesity is a major driving factor in the incidence, progression, and poor treatment response in gastrointestinal cancers. Herein, we conducted a comprehensive analysis of the impact of obesity and its resulting metabolic perturbations across four gastrointestinal cancer types, namely, oesophageal, gastric, liver, and colorectal cancer. Importantly, not all obese phenotypes are equal. Obese adipose tissue heterogeneity depends on the location, structure, cellular profile (including resident immune cell populations), and dietary fatty acid intake. We discuss whether adipose heterogeneity impacts the tumorigenic environment. Dietary fat quality, in particular saturated fatty acids, promotes a hypertrophic, pro-inflammatory adipose profile, in contrast to monounsaturated fatty acids, resulting in a hyperplastic, less inflammatory adipose phenotype. The purpose of this review is to examine the impact of obesity, including dietary fat quality, on adipose tissue biology and oncogenesis, specifically focusing on lipid metabolism and inflammatory mechanisms. This is achieved with a particular focus on gastrointestinal cancers as exemplar models of obesity-associated cancers.

CCL13 and human diseases

CCL13/MCP-4 belongs to the CC chemokine family, which induces chemotaxis in many immune cells. Despite extensive research into its function in numerous disorders, a thorough analysis of CCL13 is not yet accessible. The role of CCL13 in human disorders and existing CCL13-focused therapies are outlined in this study. The function of CCL13 in rheumatic diseases, skin conditions, and cancer is comparatively well-established, and some studies also suggest that it may be involved in ocular disorders, orthopedic conditions, nasal polyps, and obesity. We also give an overview of research that found very little evidence of CCL13 in HIV, nephritis, and multiple sclerosis. Even though CCL13-mediated inflammation is frequently linked to disease pathogenesis, it's fascinating to note that in some conditions, like primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) and suicide, it might even act as a preventative measure.

Oxidative Stress and Inflammation Are Associated with Coexistent Severe Multivessel Coronary Artery Stenosis and Right Carotid Artery Severe Stenosis in Elderly Patients

Oxidative stress and inflammatory response are the main pathogenic pathways in atherosclerosis stenosis. This study is aimed at evaluating the roles of oxidative stress and inflammatory response in coexistent right carotid artery severe stenosis and severe multivessel coronary artery stenosis in elderly patients. Circulating levels of total oxidant status (TOS), lipid hydroperoxide (LHP), 8-isoprostane (8-IP), malondialdehyde (MDA), monocyte chemotactic protein-4 (MCP-4), amyloid A (AA), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were measured by standardised laboratory test methods. Markers of oxidative stress and inflammatory response: levels of TOS, LHP, 8-IP, MDA, MCP-4, AA, hs-CRP, and TNF-α, were increased (P < 0.001) in elderly patient. These results suggested that oxidative stress and inflammatory response may be involved in carotid artery severe stenosis and severe multivessel coronary artery stenosis and measuring oxidative stress and inflammation biomarkers may also be a promising step in the development of an effective method for monitoring the severity of right carotid artery stenosis and multivessel coronary artery stenosis in elderly patients.

Global Detection of Proteins by Label-Based Antibody Array

Because of narrow availability of antibody pairs and potential cross-reactivity between antibodies, the development of sandwich-based antibody arrays which need a pair of antibodies for each target has been restricted to higher density resulting in limited proteomic breadth of detection. Label-based array is one way to overcome this obstacle by directly labeling all targets in samples with fluorescent dyes such as Cy3 and Cy5. The labeled samples are then applied on the antibody array chip composed of capture antibodies. In this chapter, we will introduce this technology including array production and sample detection assay.

Adipose Tissue-Liver Cross Talk in the Control of Whole-Body Metabolism: Implications in Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Adipose tissue and the liver play significant roles in the regulation of whole-body energy homeostasis, but they have not evolved to cope with the continuous, chronic, nutrient surplus seen in obesity. In this review, we detail how prolonged metabolic stress leads to adipose tissue dysfunction, inflammation, and adipokine release that results in increased lipid flux to the liver. Overall, the upshot of hepatic fat accumulation alongside an insulin-resistant state is that hepatic lipid enzymatic pathways are modulated and overwhelmed, resulting in the selective buildup of toxic lipid species, which worsens the pro-inflammatory and pro-fibrotic shift observed in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis.

Elevated Levels of Eotaxin-2 in Serum of Fibromyalgia Patients

FMS patients demonstrate an altered profile of chemokines relative to healthy controls (HC). Eotaxin-2 is a potent chemoattractant distributed in a variety of tissues. The aim of the study was to compare serum levels of eotaxin-2 between FMS patients and HC and to examine a potential correlation between eotaxin-2 levels and clinical parameters of FMS. Methods. 50 patients with FMS and 15 HC were recruited. Data on the severity of FMS symptoms and depression were collected. Serum levels of eotaxin-2 (ELISA) were determined in all participants. High-sensitive CRP (hs-CRP) was measured in the FMS group. Results. The FMS cohort included predominantly females (84%), mean age of 49, and mean disease duration of 6 years. FMS patients exhibited significantly higher eotaxin-2 levels (pg/ml) versus HC: 833 (±384) versus 622 (±149), p=0.04. Mean hs-CRP level among FMS patients was 4.8 ± 6 mg/l, a value not indicative of acute inflammation. No correlation was found between eotaxin-2 and hs-CRP levels. No correlation was found between eotaxin-2 and severity measures of FMS or depression. Conclusion. Eotaxin-2 does not appear to be a candidate for a disease activity biomarker in FMS. Further research is warranted into the role of this chemokine in the pathophysiology of the FMS.

Elevated Plasma Chemokines for Eosinophils in Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorders during Remission

Background

A prominent pathological feature of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD) is markedly greater eosinophilic infiltration than that seen in other demyelinating diseases, like multiple sclerosis (MS). Eosinophils express the chemokine receptor CCR3, which is activated by eotaxins (CCL11/eotaxin-1, CCL24/eotaxin-2, CCL26/eotaxin-3) and CCL13 [monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-4]. Moreover, CCL13 is part of the chemokine set that activates CCR2. The present study aimed to evaluate plasma levels of eotaxins (CCL11, CCL24, and CCL26) and MCPs (CCL13, CCL2, CCL8, and CCL7) in patients with NMOSD during remission.

Methods

Healthy controls (HC; n = 30) and patients with MS (n = 47) and NMOSD (n = 58) in remission were consecutively enrolled in this study between January 2016 and August 2017. Plasma CCL11, CCL24, CCL26, CCL2, CCL8, CCL7, CCL13, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and interleukin (IL)-1β levels were detected using the human cytokine multiplex assay.

Results

Plasma CCL13, CCL11, and CCL26 levels were all significantly higher in patients with NMOSD than in HC and patients with MS. No significant differences were found in the CCL13, CCL11, or CCL26 levels between patients with NMOSD receiving and not receiving immunosuppressive therapy. The plasma levels of TNF-α and IL-1β, which stimulate the above chemokines, were higher in patients with NMOSD than in HC. There was no difference in CCL24 levels among the three groups. In most cases, the CCL7 levels were below the threshold value of the human cytokine multiplex assay, which is in line with other studies. Adjusted multiple regression analyses showed a positive association of CCL13 levels with the number of relapses after controlling gender, age, body mass index, and disease duration in patients with NMOSD.

Conclusion

The study indicates that in NMOSD, the overproduction of cytokines such as IL-1β and TNF-α during remission stimulates eosinophilic chemoattractants such as CCL13, CCL11, and CCL26, which in turn bind to their receptor (CCR3); this could lead to eosinophil hypersensitivity. These findings suggest that the elevated secretion of CCL13, CCL11, and CCL26 may be a critical step in eosinophil recruitment during NMOSD remission.

Depot Dependent Effects of Dexamethasone on Gene Expression in Human Omental and Abdominal Subcutaneous Adipose Tissues from Obese Women

Glucocorticoids promote fat accumulation in visceral compared to subcutaneous depots, but the molecular mechanisms involved remain poorly understood. To identify long-term changes in gene expression that are differentially sensitive or responsive to glucocorticoids in these depots, paired samples of human omental (Om) and abdominal subcutaneous (Abdsc) adipose tissues obtained from obese women during elective surgery were cultured with the glucocorticoid receptor agonist dexamethasone (Dex, 0, 1, 10, 25 and 1000 nM) for 7 days. Dex regulated 32% of the 19,741 genes on the array, while 53% differed by Depot and 2.5% exhibited a Depot*Dex concentration interaction. Gene set enrichment analysis showed Dex regulation of the expected metabolic and inflammatory pathways in both depots. Cluster analysis of the 460 transcripts that exhibited an interaction of Depot and Dex concentration revealed sets of mRNAs for which the responses to Dex differed in magnitude, sensitivity or direction between the two depots as well as mRNAs that responded to Dex only in one depot. These transcripts were also clearly depot different in fresh adipose tissue and are implicated in processes that could affect adipose tissue distribution or functions (e.g. adipogenesis, triacylglycerol synthesis and storage, insulin action). Elucidation of the mechanisms underlying the depot differences in the effect of Dex on the expression of specific genes and pathways that regulate adipose function may offer novel insights into understanding the biology of visceral adipose tissues and their links to metabolic health.

Integrative miRNA and whole-genome analyses of epicardial adipose tissue in patients with coronary atherosclerosis

BACKGROUND

Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) is an atypical fat depot surrounding the heart with a putative role in the development of atherosclerosis.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We profiled genes and miRNAs in perivascular EAT and subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) of metabolically healthy patients without coronary artery disease (CAD) vs. metabolic patients with CAD. Compared with SAT, a specific tuning of miRNAs and genes points to EAT as a tissue characterized by a metabolically active and pro-inflammatory profile. Then, we depicted both miRNA and gene signatures of EAT in CAD, featuring a down-regulation of genes involved in lipid metabolism, mitochondrial function, nuclear receptor transcriptional activity, and an up-regulation of those involved in antigen presentation, chemokine signalling, and inflammation. Finally, we identified miR-103-3p as candidate modulator of CCL13 in EAT, and a potential biomarker role for the chemokine CCL13 in CAD.

CONCLUSION

EAT in CAD is characterized by changes in the regulation of metabolism and inflammation with miR-103-3p/CCL13 pair as novel putative actors in EAT function and CAD.

Bisphenol A effects on gene expression in adipocytes from children: association with metabolic disorders

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a xenobiotic endocrine-disrupting chemical. In vitro and in vivo studies have indicated that BPA alters endocrine-metabolic pathways in adipose tissue, which increases the risk of metabolic disorders and obesity. BPA can affect adipose tissue and increase fat cell numbers or sizes by regulating the expression of the genes that are directly involved in metabolic homeostasis and obesity. Several studies performed in animal models have accounted for an obesogen role of BPA, but its effects on human adipocytes - especially in children - have been poorly investigated. The aim of this study is to understand the molecular mechanisms by which environmentally relevant doses of BPA can interfere with the canonical endocrine function that regulates metabolism in mature human adipocytes from prepubertal, non-obese children. BPA can act as an estrogen agonist or antagonist depending on the physiological context. To identify the molecular signatures associated with metabolism, transcriptional modifications of mature adipocytes from prepubertal children exposed to estrogen were evaluated by means of microarray analysis. The analysis of deregulated genes associated with metabolic disorders allowed us to identify a small group of genes that are expressed in an opposite manner from that of adipocytes treated with BPA. In particular, we found that BPA increases the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and the expression of FABP4 and CD36, two genes involved in lipid metabolism. In addition, BPA decreases the expression of PCSK1, a gene involved in insulin production. These results indicate that exposure to BPA may be an important risk factor for developing metabolic disorders that are involved in childhood metabolism dysregulation.

PCR array and protein array studies demonstrate that IL-1β (interleukin-1β) stimulates the expression and secretion of multiple cytokines and chemokines in human adipocytes

The role of IL-1β in regulating the expression and secretion of cytokines and chemokines by human adipocytes was examined. Adipocytes were incubated with human IL-1β for 4 or 24 h. The expression of a panel of 84 cytokine/chemokine genes was probed using PCR arrays. IL-1β stimulated the expression of >30 cytokine/chemokine genes on the arrays; 15 showed >100-fold increases in mRNA at 4 or 24 h including CSF3, CXCL1, CXCL2, CXCL12 and IL8. CSF3 exhibited a 10,000-fold increase in mRNA at 4 h. ADIPOQ was among the genes whose expression was inhibited. Protein arrays were used to examine the secretion of cytokines/chemokines from adipocytes. IL-1β stimulated the secretion of multiple cytokines/chemokines including MCP-1, IL-8, IP-10, MIP-1α and MCP-4. The most responsive was IP-10, which exhibited a 5000-fold increase in secretion with IL-1β. IL-1β is likely to play a substantial role in stimulating the inflammatory response in human adipocytes in obesity.

The role of adipose tissue immune cells in obesity and low-grade inflammation

Adipose tissue (AT) lies at the crossroad of nutrition, metabolism, and immunity; AT inflammation was proposed as a central mechanism connecting obesity with its metabolic and vascular complications. Resident immune cells constitute the second largest AT cellular component after adipocytes and as such play important roles in the maintenance of AT homeostasis. Obesity-induced changes in their number and activity result in the activation of local and later systemic inflammatory response, marking the transition from simple adiposity to diseases such as type 2 diabetes mellitus, arterial hypertension, and ischemic heart disease. This review has focused on the various subsets of immune cells in AT and their role in the development of AT inflammation and obesity-induced insulin resistance.

Increased circulating CC chemokine levels in the metabolic syndrome are reduced by low-dose atorvastatin treatment: evidence from a randomized controlled trial

OBJECTIVE

Central obesity and insulin resistance are key components of the metabolic syndrome, which is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. In obesity, CC chemokines, such as monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1), macrophage inhibitory protein-1β (MIP-1β) and eotaxin-1 and their respective receptors, are critically involved in peripheral monocyte activation and adipose tissue infiltration. The aim of the current study was to examine whether low-dose atorvastatin (10 mg/d) treatment modulated serum levels of CC chemokines in metabolic syndrome subjects.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Serum levels of MCP-1, eotaxin-1, MIP-1β, C reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were measured in lean control and metabolic syndrome subjects at baseline, and following a 6-week randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial of atorvastatin (10 mg/d). Peripheral CD14(+) monocytes were isolated and mRNA levels of MCP-1, MIP-1 β and CCR5 determined.

RESULTS

Serum MCP-1 (P = 0·02), eotaxin-1 (P = 0·02) and MIP-1β (P = 0·03), CRP (P < 0·001) and IL-6 (P = 0·006) were significantly increased in metabolic syndrome in comparison with lean controls. Furthermore, CD14(+) peripheral monocyte mRNA expression of the chemokine receptor, CCR5, of which MIP-1β and eotaxin-1 are ligands, was increased two-fold in the metabolic syndrome group (P = 0·03). In addition to the expected improvements in lipid profile, atorvastatin treatment significantly reduced circulating eotaxin-1 (P < 0·05), MIP-1β (P < 0·05) levels and CD14(+) peripheral monocyte CCR5 mRNA expression (P = 0·02).

CONCLUSION

These results support a model whereby atorvastatin treatment, by inhibiting CD14(+) monocyte CCR5 expression, may inhibit monocyte trafficking, reduce chronic inflammation and, thus, lower circulating levels of CC chemokines.

The systemic immune network in recent onset type 1 diabetes: central role of interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (DIATOR Trial)

Background

The hypothesis was tested that the systemic immune milieu in recent-onset type 1 diabetes is associated with residual beta cell function and other metabolic patient characteristics.

Methods and Findings

All patients (n = 89, 40% female) of the Diabetes and Atorvastatin (DIATOR) Trial were analyzed at recruitment, i.e. prior to receiving the study medication. Inclusion criteria were insulin dependent diabetes for 2 weeks to 3 months, age range 18–39 years, and islet cell autoantibodies. Blood samples were analyzed for 14 immune mediators by standard methods. Concentrations of all mediators correlated with at least one other mediator (p<0.05, Spearman correlation) giving rise to a network. Interleukin 1 receptor antagonist (IL1-RA) held a central position and was associated with both pro- and anti-inflammatory mediators. Further central elements were the pro-inflammatory mediators CRP and IL-6, the soluble adhesion molecules sICAM-1 and E-selectin, and MCP-4 which held a central position in the chemokine network. The two Th1-associated mediators IFNγ and IP-10 remained outside the network but correlated with each other. All correlations were positive (r = 0.25–0.72), i.e., high levels of pro-inflammatory mediators were accompanied by increased levels of anti-inflammatory mediators. IL-1RA was the only mediator associated with fasting and liquid mixed meal stimulated C-peptide concentrations (r = 0.31 and 0.24, p = 0.003 and 0.025, after adjustment for age, sex, BMI). There were associations between the immune mediator network and BMI (IL-1RA, CRP, IL-6, MCP-4, MIP-1ß) but few or no associations with HbA1c, insulin dose, lipid parameters, age or sex.

Conclusions

In patients with recent onset type 1 diabetes, systemic acute phase proteins, cytokines, chemokines and soluble adhesion molecules form a network. Among the few central elements IL-1RA has a dominant role. IL-1RA is associated with all other groups of mediators and is the only mediator which correlates (positively) with residual beta cell function.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov registration number: NCT00974740

The multiple faces of CCL13 in immunity and inflammation

CCL13/MCP-4, is a CC family chemokine that is chemoattractant for eosinophils, basophils, monocytes, macrophages, immature dendritic cells, and T cells, and its capable of inducing crucial immuno-modulatory responses through its effects on epithelial, muscular and endothelial cells. Similar to other CC chemokines, CCL13 binds to several chemokine receptors (CCR1, CCR2 and CCR3), allowing it to elicit different effects on its target cells. A number of studies have shown that CCL13 is involved in many chronic inflammatory diseases, in which it functions as a pivotal molecule involved in the selective recruitment of cell lineages to the inflamed tissues and their subsequent activation. Based on these studies, we suggest that blocking the actions of CCL13 can serve as a novel strategy for the generation of agents with anti-inflammatory activity. The main goal of this review is to present the current information about CCL13, its gene and protein structure and the roles of this chemokine during innate/adaptive immune responses in inflammatory diseases.

Expression of eotaxin in 3T3-L1 adipocytes and the effects of weight loss in high-fat diet induced obese mice

Eotaxin is an important inflammatory chemokine in eosinophil chemotaxis and activation and, thus, is implicated in asthma. Recently, obesity was associated with an increased prevalence of asthma, but the relationship between obesity and eotaxin expression has only been partially understood in obese mice and human studies. Therefore, we studied the expression patterns of eotaxin in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes/adipocytes to determine whether eotaxin levels are influenced by body weight gain and/or reduction in diet-induced obese mice. First, we investigated eotaxin expression during differentiation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Then, we treated 3T3-L1 preadipocytes/adipocytes with tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), eotaxin, interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5, or leptin. To examine the effects of weight loss in high-fat diet induced obese mice, we fed C57BL/6 mice a high-fat diet or a normal diet for 26 weeks. Then, half of the high-fat diet group were fed a normal diet until 30 weeks to reduce weight. Epididymal adipose tissue, visceral adipose tissue, serum, and bronchoalveolar fluid of mice were examined for eotaxin expression. The results showed that eotaxin expression levels increased with adipocyte differentiation and that more eotaxin was expressed when the cells were stimulated with TNF-α, eotaxin, IL-4, IL-5, or leptin. An in vivo study showed that eotaxin levels were reduced in visceral adipose tissues when high-fat diet fed mice underwent weight loss. Taken together, these results indicate a close relationship between eotaxin expression and obesity as well as weight loss, thus, they indirectly show a relation to asthma.

Targeting inflammation-induced obesity and metabolic diseases by curcumin and other nutraceuticals

Extensive research within the past two decades has revealed that obesity, a major risk factor for type 2 diabetes, atherosclerosis, cancer, and other chronic diseases, is a proinflammatory disease. Several spices have been shown to exhibit activity against obesity through antioxidant and anti-inflammatory mechanisms. Among them, curcumin, a yellow pigment derived from the spice turmeric (an essential component of curry powder), has been investigated most extensively as a treatment for obesity and obesity-related metabolic diseases. Curcumin directly interacts with adipocytes, pancreatic cells, hepatic stellate cells, macrophages, and muscle cells. There, it suppresses the proinflammatory transcription factors nuclear factor-kappa B, signal transducer and activators of transcription-3, and Wnt/beta-catenin, and it activates peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma and Nrf2 cell-signaling pathways, thus leading to the downregulation of adipokines, including tumor necrosis factor, interleukin-6, resistin, leptin, and monocyte chemotactic protein-1, and the upregulation of adiponectin and other gene products. These curcumin-induced alterations reverse insulin resistance, hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, and other symptoms linked to obesity. Other structurally homologous nutraceuticals, derived from red chili, cinnamon, cloves, black pepper, and ginger, also exhibit effects against obesity and insulin resistance.

Chemotactic cytokines, obesity and type 2 diabetes:in vivoandin vitroevidence for a possible causal correlation?

A strong causal link between increased adipose tissue mass and insulin resistance in tissues such as liver and skeletal muscle exists in obesity-related disorders such as type 2 diabetes. Increased adipose tissue mass in obese patients and patients with diabetes is associated with altered secretion of adipokines, which also includes chemotactic proteins. Adipose tissue releases a wide range of chemotactic proteins including many chemokines and chemerin, which are interesting targets for adipose tissue biology and for biomedical research in obesity and obesity-related diseases. This class of adipokines may be directly linked to a chronic state of low-grade inflammation and macrophage infiltration in adipose tissue, a concept intensively studied in adipose tissue biology in recent years. The inflammatory state of adipose tissue in obese patients may be the most important factor linking increased adipose tissue mass to insulin resistance. Furthermore, chemoattractant adipokines may play an important role in this situation, as many of these proteins possess biological activity beyond the recruitment of immune cells including effects on adipogenesis and glucose homeostasis in insulin-sensitive tissues. The present review provides a summary of experimental evidence of the role of adipose tissue-derived chemotactic cytokines and their function in insulin resistancein vivoandin vitro.

Diet-induced adiposity alters the serum profile of inflammation in C57BL/6N mice as measured by antibody array

Morbid obesity is considered a systemic inflammatory state. The objective of this project was to characterize the adipokine, cytokine and chemokine protein profile in serum from control, lean and obese mice. We hypothesized that chemokines and cytokines are altered by caloric restriction and diet-induced obesity as a function of changes in body composition. Six-week-old female C57BL/6N mice (n = 12 per group) were randomized to one of three diets: control (fed ad libitum); lean (30% calorie-restricted regimen relative to control) and diet-induced obese (DIO; high calorie diet, fed ad libitum). Body weight, body composition and food intake were monitored throughout the study. After 10 weeks on the diets, blood samples were collected, and adipokine/cytokine/chemokine serum profiles were measured by antibody array. Lean mice, relative to the control group, displayed increased concentrations of insulin-like growth factor (IGF) binding protein-3, -5 and -6 and adiponectin and decreased IGF-1. These mice also showed increased concentrations of interleukin (IL)-10, IL-12 p40/p70, eotaxin, monocyte chemoattractant protein-5 and SDF-1. In contrast, DIO mice displayed increased leptin, IL-6 and LPS-induced chemokine and decreased concentrations of all chemokines/cytokines measured relative to control mice. As such, these data indicate that DIO may lead to an inflammatory state characterized as a shift towards a T helper lymphocyte type 1-skewed responsiveness. The demonstration of differential adipokine, cytokine and chemokine protein profile in control, lean and DIO mice may have implications for immune responsiveness and risk of disease.

Inflammation-associated serum and colon markers as indicators of dietary attenuation of colon carcinogenesis in ob/ob mice

Although inflammatory cytokines and obesity-associated serum proteins have been reported as biomarkers of colorectal adenoma risk in humans, little is known of biomarkers of response to interventions that attenuate tumorigenesis. Dietary navy beans and their fractions attenuate colon carcinogenesis in carcinogen-induced genetically obese mice. We hypothesized that this attenuation would be associated with changes in inflammatory cytokines and obesity-related serum proteins that may serve as measures of efficacy. ob/ob mice (n = 160) were injected with the carcinogen azoxymethane (AOM) to induce colon cancer and randomly placed on one of four diets (control, whole navy bean, bean residue fraction, or bean extract fraction) for 26 to 28 wk. Serum was analyzed for 14 inflammation- or obesity-related proteins, and colon RNA was analyzed for expression of 84 inflammation-associated genes. Six of 14 serum proteins were increased [i.e., interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-10, IFN gamma, granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor] in hyperplastic/dysplastic stages of colon carcinogenesis. Bean-fed mice had significantly higher monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 and lower IL-6 levels in serum. In colon mucosa, 55 of 84 inflammation-associated genes differed between AOM-induced and noninduced mice. Of the 55 AOM-induced genes, 5 were counteracted by bean diets, including IL-6 whose increase in expression levels was attenuated by bean diets in AOM-induced mice. In summary, IL-6 emerged as a serum protein that was increased in hyperplastic/dysplastic stages of colon carcinogenesis, but attenuated with bean-based diet in serum and colon mucosa. Changes in a subset of inflammation-associated serum proteins and colon gene expression may serve as response indicators of dietary attenuation of colon carcinogenesis.