TGF-β is a pro-inflammatory and pro-fibrotic cytokine and its mRNA expression was increased in all obese groups (CH vs. CC, P < 0.01, HH vs. CC, P < 0.01, CH-STZ vs. CC, P < 0.0001, HH-STZ vs. CC, P < 0.0001, Fig 7E). This evidence concerns the gene TGFB1 and cyclic hematopoiesis.