Gene expression of angiotensinogen in adipose tissue of obese patients

Recently, the genes of components of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS), na mely angiotensinogen (AGT), angiotensin converting enzyme and angiotensin I I receptor have been described in adipose tissue. In animal models the angi otensinogen in adipose tissue has been implicated in the pathogenesis of me tabolic alterations and hypertension associated with obesity. The aim of ou r study was to evaluate the AGT gene expression both in visceral and subcut aneous adipose tissue in obese patients and lean subjects. AGT mRNA levels were measured by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) u sing specific primers. AGT mRNA was expressed at variable levels in obese p atients. It was significantly greater in visceral than in subcutaneous adip ose tissue. Positive and significant correlation was found between the expr ession of AGT in visceral adipose tissue and BMI, These data suggest that a ngiotensinogen may be determinant of fat distribution and may be involved i n the plurimetabolic syndrome of central obesity.