Together, these observations provide new insight into how McPc decreases obesity-induced plasma concentrations of inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α and IL-6 and provides the fundamental mechanism by which McPc containing emodin and trans-resveratrol has protective effect against weakening of skeletal muscle strength and function caused by abnormally increased inflammatory cytokines. The gene discussed is TNF; the disease is obesity due to melanocortin 4 receptor deficiency.