Inflammatory cytokines released from adipose tissue play an important role in different pathological processes. In the present study we investigated the inflammatory cytokine response of human subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) by applying the open-flow microperfusion technique. Four standard 18-gauge microperfusion catheters were inserted into periumbilical SAT of eight healthy male volunteers (29 ± 3yrs (mean ± SD), BMI: 24.3 ± 1.9). SAT probe effluents were collected in 60-min intervals for 8 hours after catheter insertion. Different perfusion fluids were used to measure the local effect of insulin and/or glucose on the cytokine response. SAT probe effluents were analyzed for IL1beta, IL6, CXCL8 (IL 8) and TNF alpha. SAT concentrations of IL1beta increased 100-fold from 1.0 ± 0.2 pg/ml (mean ± SE) to 101.5 ± 23.2 pg/ml (p<0.001) after 8 hours. A 130-fold increase was observed for CXCL8, from 49 ± 29 pg/ml to 6554 ± 1713 pg/ml (p<0.001). Furthermore, a 20-fold increase of IL6 was observed within the first 5 hours (159 ± 123 pg/ml to 3554 ± 394 pg/ml; p<0.001), and a significant decline to 2154 ± 216 pg/ml (p<0.01) was seen thereafter. Finally, TNF alpha increased from 1.4 ± 0.6 pg/ml to 2.5 ± 0.5 pg/ml (p<0.05) in hour 2 and remained stable thereafter. Local administration of insulin exerted a stimulatory effect on the inflammatory response of IL6. In conclusion, SAT exerts a highly reproducible and consistent proinflammatory cytokine response after minimally invasive trauma caused by the insertion of a catheter in humans.