Yoshino J, et al. - In this investigation, researchers assessed the interrelationship between the human expression of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), an important regulator of fibrogenesis in many organs, adipose tissue, fat mass, and insulin resistance. Investigators observed that CTGF was expressed highly in preadipocytes, not in adipocytes. Findings suggested a strong association of adipose tissue CTGF expression with body fat mass and both skeletal muscle and liver insulin sensitivity, and CTGF-positive cells were found predominantly in fibrosis areas. Progressive weight loss resulted in a stepwise reduction in CTGF expression of adipose tissue. Overall, the investigators concluded that increased expression of CTGF in people with obesity was linked to adipose tissue expansion, adipose tissue fibrosis, and multi-organ insulin resistance.