Skip to main content

Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript.

  • Paper
  • Published:

The association of human adipose angiotensinogen gene expression with abdominal fat distribution in obesity

International Journal of Obesity volume 24, pages 673–678 (2000)Cite this article

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To investigate in obese subjects the relationship between angiotensinogen gene expression in the abdominal omental and subcutaneous adipose tissue on the one hand and body fat distribution as measured by waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) on the other hand and to compare angiotensinogen gene expression between the two adipose tissue regions.

SUBJECTS: Twenty obese subjects undergoing weight reduction surgery with adjustable gastric banding (12 men, eight women; WHR 0.89–1.09; body mass index (BMI) 29–51 kg/m2, age 26–54 y).

MEASUREMENTS: Omental and subcutaneous adipose angiotensinogen mRNA and 18S ribosomal RNA (reference gene) levels were measured by competitive quantitative reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction.

RESULTS: Angiotensinogen mRNA levels were one-third higher in the omental than in the subcutaneous adipose tissue region (P=0.02). The 18S rRNA levels did not differ significantly between the two adipose tissue regions. WHR correlated positively and significantly with angiotensinogen mRNA in both the subcutaneous and the omental adipose tissue (r=0.5). This relationship was independent of age and BMI. However, WHR did not correlate with 18S rRNA in any of the adipose tissue regions.

CONCLUSION: The angiotensinogen gene in adipose tissue might be involved in the development of upper-body obesity.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution

Access options

Buy this article

  • Purchase on Springer Link
  • Instant access to full article PDF
Buy now

Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout

Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
Figure 4

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Reid IA, Morris BJ, Ganong WF . The renin-angiotensin system Annu Rev Physiol 1978 40: 377–410.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Tamura K, Umemura S, Fukamizu A, Ishii M, Muakami K . Recent advances in the study of renin and angiotensinogen genes: from molecules to the whole body Hypertens Res 1995 18: 7–18.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Cassis LA, Saye JA, Peach MJ . Location and regulation of rat angiotensinogen messenger RNA Hypertension 1988 11: 591–596.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Jones BH, Standridge MK, Taylor JW, Moustaïd N . Angiotensinogen gene expression in adipose tissue: analysis of obese models and hormonal and nutritional control Am J Physiol 1997 273: R236–R242.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Saye JA, Cassis LA, Strugill TW, Lynch KR, Peach MJ . Angiotensinogen gene expression in 3T3-L1 cells Am J Physiol 1989 256: C448–C451.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Mohamed-Ali V, Pinkey JH, Coppack SW . Adipose tissue as an endocrine and paracrine organ Int J Obes Relat Metab Disord 1998 22: 1145–1158.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Saye JA, Lynch KR, Peach MJ . Changes in angiotensinogen messenger RNA in differentiating 3T3-F442A adipocytes Hypertension 1990 15: 867–871.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Safonova I, Aubert J, Negrel R, Ailhaud G . Regulation by fatty acids of angiotensinogen gene expression in preadipose cells Biochem J 1997 322: 235–239.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Frederich RC, Kahn BB, Peach MJ, Flier JS . Tissue-specific nutritional regulation of angiotensinogen in adipose tissue Hypertension 1992 19: 339–344.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Aubert J, Darimont C, Safonova I, Ailhaud G, Négrel R . Regulation of glucocorticoids of angiotensinogen gene expression and secretion in adipose cells Biochem J 1997 328: 701–706.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Aubert J, Safonova, Négrel R, Ailhaud G . Insulin down-regulates angiotensinogen gene expression and angiotensinogen secretion in cultured adipose cells Biochem Biophys Res Commun 1998 250: 77–82.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Karlsson C, Lindell K, Ottosson M, Sjöström L, Carlsson B, Carlsson LMS . Human adipose tissue expresses angiotensinogen and enzymes required for its conversion to angiotensin II J Clin Endocrinol Metab 1998 83: 3925–3929.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Darimont C, Vassaux G, Ailhaud G, Negrel R . Differentiation of preadipose cells: paracrine role of prostacyclin upon stimulation of adipose cells by angiotensin II Endocrinology 1994 135: 2030–2036.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Jones BH, Standridge MK, Moustaïd N . Angiotensin II increases lipogenesis in 3T3-L1 and human adipose cells Endocrinology 1997 138: 1512–1519.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Morton JJ, Beattie EC, MacPherson F . Angiotensin II receptor losartan has persistent effects on blood pressure in the young spontaneously hypertensive rat: lack of relation to vasular structure J Vasc Res 1992 29: 264–269.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. McGrath BP, Matthews PG, Louis W, Howes L, Whitworth JA, Kincaid-Smith PS, Frasier I et al.Double-blind study of dilevalol and captopril, both in combination with hydroclorothiazide, in patients with moderate to severe hypertension. J Cardiovasc Pharmacl 1990 16: 831–838.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Crandall DL, Herzlinger HE, Saunders BD, Kral JG . Developmental aspects of the adipose tissue renin-angiotensin system: therapeutic implications Drug Dev Res 1994 32: 117–125.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Leibel RL, Edens NK, Fried SK . Physiologic basis for the control of body fat distribution in human Annu Rev Nutr 1989 9: 417–443.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Kissebah AH, Krakower GR . Regional adiposity and morbidity Physiol Rev 1994 74: 761–811.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Arner P . Not all fat is alike Lancet 1998 351: 1301–1302.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Hegele RA, Brunt J, Connelly PW . Genetic variation on chromosomel is associated with variation in body fat distribution in men Circulation 1995 92: 1089–1093.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Large V, Reynisdottir S, Eleborg L, Van Harmelen V, Strommer L, Arner P . Lipolysis in human fat cells obtained under local and general anesthesia Int J Obes Relat Metab Disord 1997 21: 78–82.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Rodbell M . Metabolism of isolated fat cells J Biol Chem 1964 239: 375–380.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Molarius A, Seidell JC, Sans S, Tuomilehto J, Kuulasma K, for the WHO MONICA project . Waist and hip circumferences and waist-hip ratio in 19 populations of the WHO MONICA Project Int J Obes Relat Metab Disord 1999 23: 116–125.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. Massiera F, Murakami K, Fukamizu A, Negrel R, Ailhaud G, Teboul M . Angiotensinogen deficient mice exhibit alterations in adipose tissue development Int J Obes Relat Metab Disord 1999 23 (Suppl 5): S30.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

We are grateful to Eva Sjölin and Kerstin Wåhlén for excellent technical assistance. This project was supported by grants from the Swedish Medical Research Council (nos K99-03X-01034-33A, K98-17X-12655-0IA and K98-06X-11599-03A), Swedish Heart and Lung Foundation, Novo Nordisk Foundation, King Gustaf V and Queen Victoria Foundation, Swedish Diabetes Association, the Bergvall Foundation, the Wallenberg Foundations and the Swedish Society of Medicine.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medicine and Research Center, Huddinge University Hospital, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden

    V van Harmelen, M Elizalde, P Ariapart, S Reynisdottir, J Hoffstedt & P Arner

  2. Department of Surgery, Arvid Wretlind Laboratory, Huddinge University Hospital, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden

    S Bergstedt-Lindqvist & I Lundkvist

  3. Department of Surgery, Huddinge University Hospital, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden

    S Bringman

Authors
  1. V van Harmelen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. M Elizalde
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. P Ariapart
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. S Bergstedt-Lindqvist
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. S Reynisdottir
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. J Hoffstedt
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. I Lundkvist
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. S Bringman
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  9. P Arner
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to V van Harmelen.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

van Harmelen, V., Elizalde, M., Ariapart, P. et al. The association of human adipose angiotensinogen gene expression with abdominal fat distribution in obesity. Int J Obes 24, 673–678 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijo.0801217

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijo.0801217

Keywords

This article is cited by

Search

Advanced search

Quick links