title: The relationship between body weight and inflammation: Lesson from anti-TNF-α antibody therapy.
abstract: Obesity is associated with many pathological conditions. Tumor Necrosis Factor-α (TNF-α) is one of the key mediators of inflammation involved in the obesity-related insulin resistance development. We aim to review the human evidence useful to clarify the relationship between inflammation and body weight, with particular reference to TNF-α. Genetic polymorphisms and epigenetic factors, such as diet, could affect TNF-α activity. TNF-α is associated with obesity, but also with anorexia and cachexia. Despite the role of TNF-α in obesity-related diseases, anti-TNF-α antibody therapy is associated with an increase in adiposity. In conclusion the reviewed results suggest that inflammation is more likely a consequence rather than a cause of obesity.
authors.affiliation: Center of Nutrition, Council for Agricultural Research and Economics (CREA-NUT), Via Ardeatina 546, 00178 Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Ilaria
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Peluso
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology and Pharmacology "V. Erspamer", "Sapienza" University of Rome, P.le Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy. Electronic address: maura.palmery@uniroma1.it.
authors.forename: Maura
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Palmery
mesh_terms: D050154:Adiposity / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics; D000818:Animals; D000906:Antibodies / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001835:Body Weight; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic / Q000235:genetics; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D007167:Immunotherapy; D007249:Inflammation / Q000276:immunology* / Q000628:therapy; D009765:Obesity / Q000276:immunology* / Q000628:therapy; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D000906:Antibodies; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
keywords: Anti-TNF-α antibody therapy; Body weight; Cachexia; Obesity