Epicardial adipose tissue is associated with cardiorespiratory fitness and hemodynamics among Japanese individuals of various ages and of both sexes

PLoS One. 2021 Jul 14;16(7):e0254733. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0254733. eCollection 2021.

Abstract

Epicardial adipose tissue may affect hemodynamics and cardiorespiratory fitness as it is a metabolically active visceral adipose tissue and a source of inflammatory bioactive substances that can substantially modulate cardiovascular morphology and function. However, the associations between epicardial adipose tissue and hemodynamics and cardiorespiratory fitness remain unclear. This cross-sectional study aimed to examine the association between epicardial adipose tissue volume and hemodynamics, and cardiorespiratory fitness among Japanese individuals of various ages and of both sexes. Epicardial adipose tissue volume was measured in 120 participants (age, 21-85 years) by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging. To evaluate cardiorespiratory fitness, peak oxygen uptake was measured by cardiopulmonary exercise testing. Peak cardiac output and arteriovenous oxygen difference were calculated by impedance cardiography. The epicardial adipose tissue volume was significantly increased in middle-aged and older women. The epicardial adipose tissue volume was significantly and negatively correlated to peak cardiac output and peak oxygen uptake, regardless of age and sex; furthermore, epicardial adipose tissue showed a strong negative correlation with peak heart rate. Epicardial adipose tissue and peak cardiac output were significantly associated (β = -0.359, 95% confidence interval, -0.119 to -0.049, p < 0.001), even after multivariate adjustment (R2 = 0.778). However, in the multiple regression analysis with peak oxygen uptake as a dependent variable, the epicardial adipose tissue volume was not an independent predictor. These data suggest that increased epicardial adipose tissue volume may be correlated with decreased peak oxygen uptake, which might have mediated the abnormal hemodynamics among Japanese people of various ages and of both sexes. Interventions targeting epicardial adipose tissue could potentially improve hemodynamics and cardiorespiratory fitness.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Cardiac Output
  • Cardiorespiratory Fitness*
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Heart Rate*
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged

Grants and funding

This study was financially supported by the Tsukuba University of Technology 2020 Education and Research Advancement Promotion Project under the leadership of President Young Researcher Support Project (Award Number: None, Recipient: Yousuke Sugita). Among the authors, Yousuke Sugita and Satoshi Sakai have received a salary from the Tsukuba University of Technology. However, the funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.