Fig. 5

Mitochondrial phenotype of human subcutaneous adipose tissue in obesity. a SAT of lean and obese subjects was subjected to immunoblotting against TBX15. Representative immunobloting and quantification is shown (n = 14 patients per group). Correlation (Spearman’s analysis) between BMI and TBX15 protein expression is also shown. b Mitochondrial fractions isolated from SAT of lean and obese patients were subjected to immunoblotting with antibodies against complex I (NDUFA9), complex II (SDHA), complex IV (COX4-1), MFN2, OPA1, and PORIN. Ponceau S was used as a loading control. A representative blot and densitometry analysis of 11 lean and 32 obese patients performed is shown. c Correlation (Spearman’s analysis) between BMI and complex I (NDUFA9), complex II (SDHA), complex IV (COX4-1), MFN2, OPA1, and PORIN. d Transmission electron microscopy images of mitochondria in SAT from lean and obese subjects. Representative images are shown. Scale bars, 500 nm. Black arrows indicate mitochondria; C Cytoplasm, L Lipid droplet. e Quantification of absolute mitochondrial area vs. total cytoplasmatic area, number of mitochondria and mitochondrial area (n = 3 patients for each group). Values are expressed as mean ± SEM. Mann−Whitney test; *p < 0.05; **p < 0.01; ***p < 0.001 vs. lean