Background

Obesity, a global health crisis, poses significant challenges, especially for individuals with type 2 diabetes. Adipose tissue, exhibiting diverse characteristics in distinct depots, plays a pivotal role in metabolic health. Visceral adipose tissue (VAT) emerges as a more influential factor than subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) in contributing to obesity-related complications. Recent studies emphasize the critical role of fat distribution, revealing unique gene expressions between SAT and VAT, particularly in individuals with diabetes.

Methods

A study involving 21subjects with morbid obesity (10 males and 11 females) undergoing bariatric surgery utilized RNA sequencing to analyze gene expressions in both VAT and SAT from the same patient. Among those with type 2 diabetes, VAT displayed distinctive gene expressions compared to SAT. In males, upregulated differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were linked to signaling pathways such as phagosome, apoptosis, lysosome, and T2 cell differentiation. Conversely, females exhibited increased expression in genes associated with gastric cancer, cancer pathways, alcoholic liver disease, and TNF signaling in VAT.

Conclusions

These findings underscore the significance of comprehending differential gene expressions in VAT and SAT, particularly in the context of morbid obesity and diabetes. The study advocates for further research to delve into the impact of specific genes on metabolic health, considering variations in both adipose tissue depots and gender. This knowledge holds promise for developing targeted strategies to manage obesity-related complications and enhance overall health outcomes.