PYCARD and obesity due to melanocortin 4 receptor deficiency: In mice that lacked caspase-1, there was a decrease in adipocyte size, a reduction in fat mass, an increase in the expression of adipogenic genes, and an improvement in insulin sensitivity.379 In addition, NLRP3-, ASC-, and caspase-1-deficient mice were found to be protected against obesity induced by a high-fat diet.380 Researchers also have shown that mice lacking IL-18 developed obesity due to increased food intake.381 Further studies are needed to clarify the mechanism and accurate role of the inflammasomes and caspase-1 activation in adipocytes and the pathogenesis of obesity.