High expression of complement genes in omental adipose tissue suggests a potential role of the complement system in the development of visceral adiposity and metabolic syndrome.
Recent studies show that the metabolic syndrome is associated with chronically elevated levels of several immune markers, some of which may have metabolic effects. The high expression of complement genes in intra-abdominal adipose tissue might suggest that the complement system is involved in the development of visceral adiposity and/or contributes to the metabolic complications associated with increased visceral fat mass.
Gabrielsson et al. (Sun,) studied this question.