title: Increased level of tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) on the skin of Japanese obese males: measured by quantitative skin blotting.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  A state of chronic inflammation, characterized by an increased level of tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), is often found in the obese population. The negative effects of elevated TNF-α are not limited to systemic metabolism. It also reportedly affects skin integrity. Recently, the relationship between obesity and skin fragility was reported; however, there has been little insight into how the level of TNF-α in the skin in situ is related to the severity of obesity. In this study, we aimed to measure the level of TNF-α on the skin and to find the relationship between obesity and the level of TNF-α detected on the skin.
  
  
  METHODS
  We used a novel, non-invasive method called quantitative skin blotting. Fifty-nine healthy (but some were classified as being overweight or obese) Japanese males were enrolled as subjects. The levels of TNF-α detected on the abdominal and thigh skin along with the body composition were measured, followed by a correlation analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Significant positive correlations were found between the levels of TNF-α detected on the skin and the severity of obesity such as body mass index (BMI), body fat weight and visceral fat rating.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We found that high levels of TNF-α were detected on the skin of Japanese obese males, which implied the higher TNF-α in the skin. The elevation of skin TNF-α may be one factor related to skin fragility that is often found in obese individuals.
authors: Wellness Promotion Science Center, Institute of Medical, Pharmaceutical and Health Sciences, Kanazawa University, 5-11-80 Kodatsuno, Kanazawa, Ishikawa, 9200942, Japan. kazuhiro@staff.kanazawa-u.ac.jp.
authors: K
authors: K
authors: Ogai
authors: Wellness Promotion Science Center, Institute of Medical, Pharmaceutical and Health Sciences, Kanazawa University, 5-11-80 Kodatsuno, Kanazawa, Ishikawa, 9200942, Japan.|Division of Health Science, Department of Clinical Nursing, Graduate School of Medicine, Kanazawa University, 5-11-80 Kodatsuno, Kanazawa, Ishikawa, 9200942, Japan.
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Matsumoto
authors: Division of Health Science, Department of Clinical Nursing, Graduate School of Medicine, Kanazawa University, 5-11-80 Kodatsuno, Kanazawa, Ishikawa, 9200942, Japan.
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Aoki
authors: Department of Gerontological Nursing/Wound Care Management, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 1130033, Japan.
authors: T
authors: T
authors: Minematsu
authors: Department of Clinical Laboratory Science, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kanazawa University, 5-11-80 Kodatsuno, Kanazawa, Ishikawa, 9200942, Japan.
authors: K
authors: K
authors: Kitamura
authors: Wellness Promotion Science Center, Institute of Medical, Pharmaceutical and Health Sciences, Kanazawa University, 5-11-80 Kodatsuno, Kanazawa, Ishikawa, 9200942, Japan.
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Kobayashi
authors: Department of Gerontological Nursing/Wound Care Management, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 1130033, Japan.
authors: H
authors: H
authors: Sanada
authors: Wellness Promotion Science Center, Institute of Medical, Pharmaceutical and Health Sciences, Kanazawa University, 5-11-80 Kodatsuno, Kanazawa, Ishikawa, 9200942, Japan.|Division of Health Science, Department of Clinical Nursing, Graduate School of Medicine, Kanazawa University, 5-11-80 Kodatsuno, Kanazawa, Ishikawa, 9200942, Japan.
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Sugama
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015153:Blotting, Western / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000378:metabolism*; D012867:Skin / Q000378:metabolism*; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000378:metabolism*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
keywords: TNF-α; biotechnology/Fermentation; skin barrier; skin blotting; skin physiology/structure