An analysis of the expression of collagen I and III genes in the fascia of obese patients

Abstract

The etiology of incisional hernias in the population of morbidly obese patients remains unclear. Most likely, factors other than purely mechanical are at play; it has been ascertained that nonobese patients suffering from inguinal and incisional hernias display alterations in the architecture of the connective tissue. The goal of this study has been to evaluate and compare the relative expression of collagen type I and III genes in the rectus abdominis muscle sheath (RMS) of obese and nonobese individuals to investigate their possible influence on the quality of the connective tissue.