title: Melatonin reduces obesity and restores adipokine patterns and metabolism in obese (ob/ob) mice.
abstract: The increasing incidence of obesity, leading to metabolic complications, is now recognized as a major public health problem. The adipocytes are not merely energy-storing cells, but they play crucial roles in the development of the so-called metabolic syndrome due to the adipocyte-derived bioactive factors such as adipokines, cytokines, and growth factors. The dysregulated production and secretion of adipokines seen in obesity is linked to the pathogenesis of the metabolic disease processes. In this study, we hypothesized that dietary melatonin administration would support an anti-inflammatory response and play an important role in energy metabolism in subcutaneous and visceral adipose tissues of obese mice and so may counteract some of the disruptive effects of obesity. Lean and obese mice (ob/ob) received melatonin or vehicle in drinking water for 8 weeks. Thereafter, they were evaluated for morphologic alteration, inflammatory cell infiltration, and the adipokine patterns in visceral and subcutaneous white fat depots. In obese mice treated with vehicle, we observed a significant increase in fat depots, inflammation, and a dysregulation of the adipokine network. In particular, we measured a significant reduction of adiponectin and an increase of tumor necrosis factor α, resistin, and visfatin in adipose tissue deposits. These changes were partially reversed when melatonin was supplemented to obese mice. Melatonin supplementation by regulating inflammatory infiltration ameliorates obesity-induced adipokine alteration, whereas melatonin administration in lean mice was unaffected. Thus, it is likely that melatonin would be provided in supplement form to control some of the disruptive effects on the basis of obesity pathogenic process.
authors.affiliation: Anatomy and Physiopathology Division, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy.
authors.forename: Gaia
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Favero
authors.affiliation: Anatomy and Physiopathology Division, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy; Interdipartimental University Center of Research "Adaption and Regeneration of Tissues and Organs-(ARTO)".
authors.forename: Alessandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Stacchiotti
authors.affiliation: Anatomy and Physiopathology Division, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy.
authors.forename: Stefania
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Castrezzati
authors.affiliation: Anatomy and Physiopathology Division, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy; Interdipartimental University Center of Research "Adaption and Regeneration of Tissues and Organs-(ARTO)".
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Bonomini
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Verona, Verona, Italy.
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Albanese
authors.affiliation: Anatomy and Physiopathology Division, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy; Interdipartimental University Center of Research "Adaption and Regeneration of Tissues and Organs-(ARTO)". Electronic address: rita.rezzani@unibs.it.
authors.forename: Rita
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rezzani
authors.affiliation: Anatomy and Physiopathology Division, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy; Interdipartimental University Center of Research "Adaption and Regeneration of Tissues and Organs-(ARTO)".
authors.forename: Luigi Fabrizio
authors.initials: LF
authors.lastname: Rodella
mesh_terms: D054392:Adipokines / Q000032:analysis*; D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000737:chemistry*; D000818:Animals; D004032:Diet; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D007249:Inflammation / Q000517:prevention & control; D050152:Intra-Abdominal Fat / Q000737:chemistry; D008550:Melatonin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D051379:Mice; D008820:Mice, Obese; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D054409:Nicotinamide Phosphoribosyltransferase / Q000032:analysis; D009765:Obesity / Q000517:prevention & control*; D052243:Resistin / Q000032:analysis; D050151:Subcutaneous Fat / Q000737:chemistry; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D054392:Adipokines; D052243:Resistin; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D054409:Nicotinamide Phosphoribosyltransferase; D008550:Melatonin
keywords: Adipokine; Adiponectin; Inflammation; Melatonin; Resistin; Visfatin; ob/ob mice