We show here high levels of expression and secretion of the chemokine CXCL5 in the macrophage fraction of white adipose tissue (WAT). Moreover, we find that CXCL5 is dramatically increased in serum of human obese compared to lean subjects. Conversely, CXCL5 concentration is decreased in obese subjects after a weight reduction program, or in obese non-insulin resistant, compared to insulin resistant obese subjects. Most importantly we demonstrate that treatment with recombinant CXCL5 blocks insulin-stimulated glucose uptake in muscle in mice. CXCL5 blocks insulin signaling by activating the Jak2/STAT5/SOCS2 pathway. Finally, by treating obese, insulin resistant mice with either anti-CXCL5 neutralizing antibodies or antagonists of CXCR2, which is the CXCL5 receptor we demonstrate that CXCL5 mediates insulin resistance. Furthermore CXCR2−/− mice are protected against obesity-induced insulin resistance. Taken together, these results show that secretion of CXCL5 by WAT resident macrophages represents a link between obesity, inflammation, and insulin resistance.

OBJECTIVEWe investigated the regulation of adipose tissue gene expression during different phases of a dietary weight loss program and its relation with insulin sensitivity.RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODSTwenty-two obese women followed a dietary intervention program composed of an energy restriction phase with a 4-week very-low-calorie diet and a weight stabilization period composed of a 2-month low-calorie diet followed by 3–4 months of a weight maintenance diet. At each time point, a euglycemic-hyperinsulinemic clamp and subcutaneous adipose tissue biopsies were performed. Adipose tissue gene expression profiling was performed using a DNA microarray in a subgroup of eight women. RT–quantitative PCR was used for determination of mRNA levels of 31 adipose tissue macrophage markers (n = 22).RESULTSBody weight, fat mass, and C-reactive protein level decreased and glucose disposal rate increased during the dietary intervention program. Transcriptome profiling revealed two main patterns of variations. The first involved 464 mostly adipocyte genes involved in metabolism that were downregulated during energy restriction, upregulated during weight stabilization, and unchanged during the dietary intervention. The second comprised 511 mainly macrophage genes involved in inflammatory pathways that were not changed or upregulated during energy restriction and downregulated during weight stabilization and dietary intervention. Accordingly, macrophage markers were upregulated during energy restriction and downregulated during weight stabilization and dietary intervention. The increase in glucose disposal rates in each dietary phase was associated with variation in expression of sets of 80–110 genes that differed among energy restriction, weight stabilization, and dietary intervention.CONCLUSIONSAdipose tissue macrophages and adipocytes show distinct patterns of gene regulation and association with insulin sensitivity during the various phases of a dietary weight loss program.

Objective: Apelin is a novel adipokine acting on APJ receptor, regulated by insulin and tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-a) in adipose tissue (AT). Plasma apelin levels are increased in obese hyperinsulinemic subjects. The aim was to investigate whether the hypocaloric diet associated with weight loss modifies the elevated plasma apelin levels and the expression of apelin and APJ receptor in AT in obese women. Design and methods: Fasting plasma levels of apelin and TNF-a as well as mRNA levels of apelin and APJ in AT were measured before and after a 12-week hypocaloric weight-reducing diet in 20 obese women (body mass index (BMI) before diet 32.2G6.4 kg/m 2 ). Twelve healthy women with a BMI of 20.7G 0.6 kg/m 2 served as reference. Results: Plasma levels of apelin and TNF-a were higher in obese compared with lean controls. The hypocaloric diet resulted in a significant decrease of BMI to 29.8G6.3 kg/m 2 , plasma insulin (8.16G 0.73 to 6.58G0.66 mU/l), apelin (369G25 pg/ml to 257G12 pg/ml), TNF-a levels (0.66G 0.04 pg/ml to 0.56G0.04 pg/ml), and AT mRNAs of apelin and APJ. In addition, changes in AT mRNA apelin were related to changes in AT mRNA APJ levels. Conclusion: The hypocaloric diet associated with weight loss reduces the increased plasma and AT expression of apelin in obese women. This reduced apelin expression in AT could contribute to decreased circulating apelin levels.European Journal of Endocrinology 158 905-910

Context: Retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4) may play a role in the development of insulin resistance. Objective:We investigated whether RBP4 adipose tissue mRNA expression and plasma level are related to insulin sensitivity during a diet-induced weight loss.Design, Setting, Patients, and Intervention: Obese women followed a dietary intervention composed of a 4-wk very low-calorie diet (VLCD), a 2-month low-calorie diet, and 3-4 months of a weight maintenance (WM) phase. Main Outcome Measures:Clinical investigation was performed before and at the end of each phase. Insulin sensitivity was assessed with the euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp. Adipose tissue mRNA and plasma levels of RBP4 were determined using reverse transcription-quantitative PCR and ELISA, respectively.Results: Weight and fat mass decreased during VLCD and were stabilized during WM. Glucose disposal rate increased during VLCD and remained elevated thereafter. Plasma levels of RBP4 decreased after VLCD and, although increasing at subsequent phases, remained lower than prediet values. Adipose tissue mRNA levels were diminished after VLCD, and increased during low-calorie diet and WM to reach basal values. Basal RBP4 levels or diet-induced variations of RBP4 were not different in lean women and two groups of obese women with high-and low-insulin sensitivity. Conclusions:Severe calorie restriction promotes a reduction in adipose tissue and plasma levels of RBP4. The study does not bring evidence for a role for RBP4 in the regulation of diet-induced changes in insulin sensitivity.