Maraviroc ameliorates the increased adipose tissue macrophage recruitment induced by a high-fat diet in a mouse model of obesity.

Any strategy designed to decrease the macrophage content in adipose tissue (AT) is of great value as a way to decrease inflammation in this fat depot and also as a way to prevent or treat obesity and associated disorders. Maraviroc (MVC), a CCR5 antagonist approved for the treatment of HIV-infected patients, has beneficial effects on metabolism. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of MVC on AT macrophage recruitment in a mouse model of obesity. The plausible underlying mechanisms of action were also investigated.,32 male C57BL/6 mice were randomly assigned to the following groups: i) Control, ii) MVC (300 mg/L MVC in drinking water) iii) High fat diet (HFD) or iv) HFD+MVC. After 16 weeks of treatment, histopathological and molecular analyses were performed on epidydimal fat.,Our results demonstrated that MVC reduced the presence of macrophages in epididymal fat despite the ingestion of a HFD. The inhibition of MCP-1 gene expression and JNK signaling pathway along with the upregulation of protective cytokines such as cardiotrophin-1 could contribute to these actions. MVC effects on AT macrophage recruitment were associated with a lower body weight gain and a partial improvement in insulin resistance despite a HFD.,We have demonstrated the ability of MVC to ameliorate the increased AT macrophage recruitment induced by a HFD in a mouse model of obesity. These actions could be of interest when designing antiretroviral treatments in HIV-patients.