Adiponectin expression in human epicardial adipose tissue in vivo is lower in patients with coronary artery disease.
BACKGROUND
Intra-peritoneal adipose tissue is recognized as a predictor of metabolic syndrome and may contribute to the risk for cardiovascular disease by the production of adipocytokines, including adiponectin. Nevertheless, there is no knowledge on whether other visceral depots of adipose tissue, including the epicardial fat, have any metabolically active role, including production of adiponectin.


OBJECTIVE
We sought to evaluate adiponectin protein expression in epicardial adipose tissue in vivo both in patients with severe coronary artery disease (CAD) and in subjects without CAD.


METHODS
Twenty-two patients were enrolled for the study. We selected 16 patients who underwent elective coronary artery bypass graft surgery for critical CAD, 5 who underwent surgery for valve replacement and 1 for correction of an interatrial defect. Epicardial adipose tissue biopsy samples were obtained before the initiation of cardiopulmonary bypass. Adiponectin protein level in epicardial adipose tissue was evaluated by Western blotting.


RESULTS
Adiponectin protein value, expressed as adiponectin/actin ratio, in epicardial adipose tissue was significantly lower in patients with severe CAD than in those without CAD (1.42 +/- 0.77 vs 2.36 +/- 0.84 p = 0.02, 95% CI 0.64-1.74).


CONCLUSIONS
This study showed for the first time that human epicardial adipose tissue expresses adiponectin. Adiponectin expression is significantly lower in epicardial fat isolated from patients with CAD.
Iacobellis
Gianluca
G
Endocrinology, Department of Clinical Sciences, La Sapienza University, Rome, Italy. gianluca.iaco@tin.it
Pistilli
Daniela
D
Gucciardo
Marco
M
Leonetti
Frida
F
Miraldi
Fabio
F
Brancaccio
Gianluca
G
Gallo
Pietro
P
di Gioia
Cira Rosaria Tiziana
CR
D052242:Adiponectin; D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010496:Pericardium / Q000378:metabolism*
D052242:Adiponectin; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins