Horm Metab Res 2002; 34(11/12): 674-677
DOI: 10.1055/s-2002-38239
Short Communication

© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Weight Loss in Tumour-Bearing Mice Is Not Associated with Changes in Resistin Gene Expression in White Adipose Tissue

J.  Gómez-Ambrosi 1 , N.  Zabalegui 1 , C.  Bing 1 , M.  J.  Tisdale 2 , P.  Trayhurn 1 , G.  Williams 1
  • 1 Neuroendocrine and Obesity Biology Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Liverpool, University Clinical Departments, UK
  • 2 Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Institute, Aston University, Birmingham, UK
Further Information

Publication History

Received 23 May 2002

Accepted after revision 31 July 2002

Publication Date:
27 March 2003 (online)

Abstract

Resistin, a product of white adipose tissue, is postulated to induce insulin resistance in obesity and regulate adipocyte differentiation. The aim of this study was to examine resistin gene expression in adipose tissue from mice bearing the MAC16 adenocarcinoma, which induces cancer cachexia with marked wasting of adipose tissue and skeletal muscle mass. MAC16-bearing mice lost weight progressively over the period following tumour transplantation, while the weight of control mice remained stable. Leptin mRNA in gonadal fat was 50 % lower in MAC16 mice than in controls (p < 0.05). Plasma insulin concentrations were also significantly lower in the MAC16 group (p < 0.05). However, resistin mRNA level in gonadal fat in MAC16 mice was similar to controls (94 % of controls). Thus, despite severe weight loss and significant falls in leptin expression and insulin concentration, resistin gene expression appears unchanged in white adipose tissue of mice with MAC16 tumour. Maintenance of resistin production may help inhibit the formation of new adipocytes in cancer cachexia.

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Dr. J. Gómez-Ambrosi

Metabolic Research Laboratory · Clínica Universitaria de Navarra · University of Navarra · Edificio CIFA

Irunlarrea 1 · 31008 Pamplona · Spain·

Phone: + 34 (948) 425600 ext. 6567

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Email: jagomez@unav.es