TNF and obesity due to melanocortin 4 receptor deficiency: In the context of amelioration of obesity-related characteristics the pineal hormone has been shown to reduce the secretion of TNF-α and IL-6 by adipocytes, increase high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, decrease plasma levels of triglycerides, LDL and very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) cholesterol, and reduce visceral fat [109].