Epicardial fat tissue thickness correlates with endothelial dysfunction and other cardiovascular risk factors in patients with metabolic syndrome.
BACKGROUND
Epicardial adipose tissue has shown to be related to cardiovascular risk. The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between epicardial adiposity and endothelial function in metabolic syndrome.


METHODS
Fifty patients with metabolic syndrome were recruited. Anthropometric measurements, fasting blood glucose, insulin, lipid profile, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), fibrinogen, apolipoprotein A (Apo A), Apo B1, and lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)] were determined. Homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) was calculated. Epicardial fat thickness was measured via two-dimensional M-mode echocardiography. Endothelial function was assessed as flow-mediated dilatation at the brachial artery.


RESULTS
Epicardial fat tissue thickness was shown to be correlated negatively with FMD and positively with age, diastolic blood pressure, hsCRP, fibrinogen, HOMA-IR, and lipid parameters. Multiple regression analysis showed epicardial fat tissue thickness to be an independent factor influencing the endothelial function.


CONCLUSIONS
Epicardial fat tissue may be a useful parameter in the assessment of patients with metabolic syndrome.
Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Yeditepe University Medical Faculty, Istanbul, Turkey. haydin@yeditepe.edu.tr
Hasan
H
Aydin
Ahmet
A
Toprak
Oğuzhan
O
Deyneli
Dilek
D
Yazici
Ozlem
O
Tarçin
Seda
S
Sancak
Dilek
D
Yavuz
Sema
S
Akalin
D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D050154:Adiposity; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000097:blood; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D010496:Pericardium; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D014421:Turkey; D018608:Ultrasonography, Doppler; D014664:Vasodilation; D055815:Young Adult
D015415:Biomarkers; D018836:Inflammation Mediators