Chemokine Expression in Neutrophils and Subcutaneous Adipose Tissue Cells Obtained during Abdominoplasty from Patients with Obesity and Normal Body Weight

The study was aimed at assessing the role of chemokines in inflammatory changes in tissue following abdominoplasty. The levels of neutrophil-coupled chemokines and their receptors in the serum and blood cells, as well as in cells isolated from the subcutaneous adipose tissue sampled during abdominoplasty were compared in patients with obesity and normal body weight. The levels of chemokines CCL3, CCL3, and CCL5 in blood serum and expression of chemokine receptor CXCR2 and CXCR6 on blood neutrophils were significantly higher (p<0.05) in obese patients in comparison with patients with normal body weight. Elevated expression of chemokines CCL2, CCL3, CCL4, CCL5, CCL18, and CCL20 (p<0.05) was detected in subcutaneous adipose tissue cells isolated obese patients in comparisons with persons with normal body weight. These findings attest to favorable conditions for enhanced neutrophil migration to the adipose tissue in patients with obesity, which can promote leukocyte infiltration of the suture site after abdominoplasty and serves as additional risk factor for the development of postoperative complications associated with activity of neutrophil-derived proteolytic enzymes.