title: Visceral adipose tissue zinc finger protein 36 mRNA levels are correlated with insulin, insulin resistance index, and adiponectinemia in women.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Adipose tissue is now recognized as an endocrine organ and secretes numerous molecules and proteins potentially involved in the physiopathology of the metabolic syndrome. Recently, we have determined the transcriptome of omental adipose tissue, leading to the identification of a new candidate gene for obesity-related metabolic complications, zinc finger protein 36 (ZFP36), which is known to down-regulate tumor necrosis factor-alpha TNF-alpha) expression.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this study was to further examine the relationship between ZFP36 gene expression levels, obesity-related phenotypes, and adipokines.
  
  
  METHODS
  Abdominal subcutaneous and omental adipose tissue samples were obtained from 46 women undergoing elective gynecological surgery. Adipose tissue ZFP36 mRNA abundance was assessed by quantitative real-time PCR. Body fat accumulation and distribution were measured by dual X-ray absorptiometry and computed tomography. Fasting blood levels of glucose, insulin, and lipids, and circulating TNF-alpha, interleukin-6 (IL-6), resistin, and adiponectin were also measured.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No correlation was observed between s.c. ZFP36 mRNA levels and any of the phenotypes tested. However, although omental ZFP36 mRNA levels were not correlated with measures of body fatness and lipid profile, they were negatively correlated with fasting insulin levels (R = -0.31; P = 0.05), the insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR; R = -0.31; P = 0.05), and 2-h post-glucose insulinemia (R = -0.32; P = 0.05). Omental ZFP36 mRNA abundance was also positively correlated with adiponectinemia (R = 0.35; P = 0.03) but not with circulating TNF-alpha, IL-6, and resistin concentrations.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results suggest that ZFP36 gene expression in omental adipose tissue, but not in abdominal s.c. fat, may offer partial protection against the development of insulin resistance and diabetes.
authors: Lipid Research Center, Laval University, Québec, Canada.
authors: Luigi
authors: L
authors: Bouchard
authors: Marie-Claude
authors: MC
authors: Vohl
authors: Yves
authors: Y
authors: Deshaies
authors: Caroline
authors: C
authors: Rhéaume
authors: Marleen
authors: M
authors: Daris
authors: André
authors: A
authors: Tchernof
mesh_terms: D052242:Adiponectin / Q000097:blood; D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics; D005215:Fasting / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood*; D007333:Insulin Resistance / Q000235:genetics*; D050152:Intra-Abdominal Fat / Q000378:metabolism*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009852:Omentum / Q000378:metabolism; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D050507:Subcutaneous Fat, Abdominal / Q000378:metabolism; D051816:Tristetraprolin / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: C499918:ADIPOQ protein, human; D052242:Adiponectin; D007328:Insulin; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D051816:Tristetraprolin