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Abstract: Systemic inflammation conributes to the development of multiple organ dysfunction, the major cause of mortality in patients with septic shock. Systemic inflammation is a consequence of activation of the innate immune system. Recent studies have indicated that adipose tissue plays a major role in the secretion of inflammatory factors which have been called adipocytokines or adipokines. Also, the increased production rate of cytokines such as IL-6 or TNF-alpha have been implicated in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular complications and insulin resistance. However, the metabloic role and possible consequences of adipose tissue as a secretory organ in critically ill patients has not been investigated to date. For the present proposal we will test the hypothesis, that adipose tissue is one of the links between systemic inflammation causing insulin resistance in criticalla ill patients and low-grade inflammation causing insulin resistance in obesity. To test this obesity we will charaterize adipose tissue as a secretory organ using interstitial fluid sampling techniques and advanced pepide analysisi in critically ill patients and healthy controls.

MUG Research Units: Center for Medical Research (ZMF); Department of Internal Medicine, Joint Facilities

Project partners: Heart Institute, University of Sao Paulo, Brazil
Contact person: Dr. Dimas Ikeoka;