Our data that LA-induced elevation of both TNF-α and IL-6 mRNAs and of protein levels in Caco2 cells further support the concept that inflammatory cytokines released from the gut induced by fatty acid is the early source of inflammation associated with the development of obesity and/or metabolic disorders because TNF-α and IL-6 are widely used as early biomarkers of inflammation of insulin resistance and the obesity relative diseases. The gene discussed is TNF; the disease is obesity due to melanocortin 4 receptor deficiency.