In obesity, an imbalance in adipokine production results in elevated pro-inflammatory mediators (e.g., tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6)) and decreased cardioprotective adipokines, such as adiponectin, fostering systemic inflammation and apoptosis [33]. The gene discussed is ADIPOQ; the disease is obesity due to melanocortin 4 receptor deficiency.