Understanding the Relationship Between Inflammation and Insulin Resistance in the Adipose Tissue

This study is being done to determine whether eosinophils (a type of white blood cell) play
an important role in human fat metabolism and inflammation.

This study is being done to determine if fish oil supplement could play a role in reducing
inflammation and improving insulin sensitivity in your fat tissue.

Lean, healthy person with a body mass index (BMI) of 25 or less, or you are obese, BMI
between 30 and 50, and non-diabetic.

Lean healthy controls will not be on any medication and will be undergoing elective
abdominal surgery excluding those involving acute inflammation (i.e. acute cholecystitis,
bowel perforation, or diverticulitis).

Obese, non-diabetic subjects will have a BMI between 30 and 50 and be taking no medications
affecting glucose metabolism or lipid metabolism. These subjects will be identified from a
pool of patients undergoing an elective abdominal surgical procedure such as inguinal
hernia repair, laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication, planned cholecystectomy, but also
bariatric surgery.

Volunteers will not be taking corticosteroid therapy or have a history of asthma, COPD or
atopic syndrome. All subjects will undergo a medical history intake and a physical
examination followed by an OGTT to confirm normal glucose.