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Horm Metab Res 2007; 39(8): 596-600
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-984459
Clinical Human

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Immune-mediated Activation of the Endocannabinoid System in Visceral Adipose Tissue in Obesity

K. Kempf 1 , J. Hector 2 , T. Strate 3 , B. Schwarzloh 2 , B. Rose 1 , C. Herder 1 , S. Martin 1 , P. Algenstaedt 2
  • 1Institute for Clinical Diabetes Research, German Diabetes Center, Leibniz Institute at Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
  • 2Department of Internal Medicine, University Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
  • 3Department of Surgery, University Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
Further Information

Publication History

received 15.12.2006

accepted 21.05.2007

Publication Date:
21 August 2007 (online)

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Abstract

The aim of the study was to investigate if the endocannabinoid system (ECS) is activated in visceral adipose tissue and if adipose tissue inflammation affects the ECS activation state. Therefore, expression of fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), cannabinoid receptor 1 (Cb1), adiponectin, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α was compared in visceral adipose tissue from 10 normal-weight (BMI 24.4±1.1 kg/m2) and 11 obese subjects (BMI 37.6±13.6 kg/m2) using quantitative RT-PCR, and gene expression changes were analyzed after in vitro stimulation of visceral adipose tissue with TNF-α. The data demonstrate that the ECS is activated in obese visceral adipose tissue as shown by decreased FAAH, Cb1, and adiponectin expression. Obesity-related ECS activation is accompanied by elevated expression of the pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF-α, which in turn stimulates ECS activation in vitro. Our data show a strong association between adipose tissue inflammation and ECS activation in obesity, and indicate that a pro-inflammatory state may directly activate the ECS.

Key words

Endocannabinoid system - inflammation - obesity - adipose tissue - cytokines

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Correspondence

Dr. K. Kempf

Institute for Clinical Diabetes Research

German Diabetes Center

Leibniz Institute at Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf

Auf'm Hennekamp 65

40225 Düsseldorf

Germany

Phone: +49/211/3382 64 7

Fax: +49/211/3382 60 3

Email: Kerstin.Kempf@ddz.uni-duesseldorf.de