BAX and obesity due to melanocortin 4 receptor deficiency: In contrast, the Bcl-2 (anti-apoptotic protein) levels significantly decreased by 29% in the HFD group compared with those in the CON group (p < 0.05, Figure 3B), suggesting that the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, which is used in the early stage of mitochondria-mediated apoptosis, was markedly increased by HFD-induced obesity (p < 0.05, Figure 3C).