Increased adipose angiotensinogen gene expression in human obesity

Objective: Adipose angiotensinogen has been suggested as a stimulator of adipose tissue growth and development. Therefore, the association of subcutaneous adipose angiotensinogen gene expression with human obesity was studied. Research Methods and Procedures: The study group consisted of 17 men, undergoing either gastric banding for obesity or elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy (7 obese, 10 non-obese men; body mass index 22 to 51 kg/m(2); age 26 to 68 years). Subcutaneous adipose angiotensinogen mRNA and 18S ribosomal RNA (reference gene) levels were measured using competitive quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. Results: Adipose angiotensinogen mRNA expression was about two times increased in obesity. The levels of 18S rRNA did not differ between the two groups. Body weight correlated independently and positively with adipose angiotensinogen mRNA expression after adjusting for differences in age and height. Discussion: Adipose angiotensinogen gene expression is elevated in obesity in men.