Figure 3C) compared to LFD-fed controls, consistent with increased risk markers of VT/SCD in HFD-linked obesity. Given the established role of heightened IL-6 signaling in obesity, endogenous IL-6R and JAK2 transcripts, which are part of the pro-inflammatory IL-6 pathway, were next assessed in LFD and HFD hearts using qRT-PCR assays. Compared to LFD, our data revealed that HFD guinea pigs had increased expression levels of ventricular IL-6R and JAK2 genes (Figure 3D), substantiating our observation of HFD-linked overactivation of IL-6 signaling (Figure 2). This evidence concerns the gene IL6 and obesity due to melanocortin 4 receptor deficiency.