Parallel downregulation of retinol-binding protein-4 and adiponectin expression in subcutaneous adipose tissue of non-morbidly obese subjects.

Context And Objective: Adipokines are involved in the etiopathology of obesity-related disorders. Since the role of adipokine retinol-binding protein-4 (RBP4) in obesity remains uncertain and its relationship with other adipokines and inflammatory markers has not been examined in detail, we investigated the relationships of RBP4 mRNA expression and circulating protein levels with obesity, anthropometric and metabolic variables, as well as with obesity-related inflammatory markers adiponectin and C-reactive protein.

Subjects And Methods: One-hundred and twenty-five subjects participated, 36 lean (body mass index (BMI): <25 kg/m(2)) and 89 obese (overweight/obese; BMI: > or =25<40) whose anthropometric and metabolic variables were assessed.