The production and distribution of IL-6 and TNF-α in subcutaneous adipose tissue and their correlation with serum concentrations in Welsh ponies with equine metabolic syndrome

Abstract

A main symptom of equine metabolic syndrome (EMS) in ponies is pathological obesity characterized by abnormal accumulation of fat deposits and inflammation. In this study, we analyzed the expression of two pro-inflammatory cytokines, interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), in subcutaneous adipose tissue and the correlation with serum concentrations in peripheral blood of Welsh ponies. Based on clinical examination findings, the animals were divided into two groups: ponies affected with EMS (n = 8) and obese ponies (n = 8). The adipose tissue was examined using immunohistochemical analysis while concentrations IL-6 and TNF-α were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs). Additionally, histological characterization of the adipose tissue was performed. The results obtained showed that IL-6 expression in adipose tissue biopsies derived from animals with EMS was enhanced while TNF-α levels of both groups were comparable. Compared to the obese ponies, EMS animals also had significantly elevated levels of serum IL-6 and TNF-α. Histological analysis revealed macrophage infiltration and fibrosis in adipose tissue preparations from the EMS group. These data suggest that IL-6 may play a key role in the course of EMS in Welsh ponies. Our findings also demonstrated that analysis of pro-inflammatory cytokines levels in serum may serve as an additional tool for diagnosing EMS.

Macroautophagy and Selective Mitophagy Ameliorate Chondrogenic Differentiation Potential in Adipose Stem Cells of Equine Metabolic Syndrome: New Findings in the Field of Progenitor Cells Differentiation

“…Detailed characterization of animals used in this study is shown in Table 1. Qualification to the experimental groups was performed based on (i) extensive interviews with owners, (ii) measurement of body weight, (iii) estimation of body condition score (BCS) and cresty neck scoring system (CNS), (iv) palpation and visual assessment of the hoof capsule, (v) X-ray examination, (vi) resting insulin levels, (vii) combined glucose-insulin test (CGIT), and (viii) LEP concentration as previously described by Basinska et al [18]. …”

Adipose tissue macrophages in non-rodent mammals: a comparative study

“…They raise the question as to whether the findings obtained in mouse studies can be directly extrapolated to other mammalian species. Despite the finding that inflammation can also lead to metabolic impairment in other mammalian species (Basinska et al 2015), only a limited number of comparative studies of non-human primates and canines has explored the metabolic impact of adipose tissue inflammation (Chung et al 2014;Castro et al 2015;Bastien et al 2015). Thus, whether adipose tissue hosts immune cells in mammals other than rodents and primates and whether these immune cells have the ability to regulate metabolism remains elusive.…”

Anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of Salix Koreensis Andersson in DC. leaf methanol extract in vitro models

“…Kennedy-Feitosa et al (2016) reported that TNF-α receptor deficient mice do not develop inflammation, suggesting a key role of TNF-α in response to inflammatory disease. IL-6 is also a major cytokine that is responsible for the initiation and propagation of inflammation by mediating the acute phase and can be stimulated by TNF-α (Basinska et al, 2015;Kitanaka, 2016). Therefore, suppression of macrophage activation is correlated with inhibition of inflammatory diseases.…”