Epicardial adipose tissue and cardiac lipotoxicity: A review

Anirban Goutam Mukherjee; Kaviyarasi Renu; Abilash Valsala Gopalakrishnan; Rama Jayaraj; Abhijit Dey; Balachandar Vellingiri; Raja Ganesan

doi:10.1016/j.lfs.2023.121913

Epicardial adipose tissue and cardiac lipotoxicity: A review

Life Sci. 2023 Sep 1:328:121913. doi: 10.1016/j.lfs.2023.121913. Epub 2023 Jul 4.

Authors

Anirban Goutam Mukherjee¹, Kaviyarasi Renu², Abilash Valsala Gopalakrishnan³, Rama Jayaraj⁴, Abhijit Dey⁵, Balachandar Vellingiri⁶, Raja Ganesan⁷

Affiliations

¹ Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Bio-Sciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), Vellore 632014, India.
² Centre of Molecular Medicine and Diagnostics (COMManD), Department of Biochemistry, Saveetha Dental College & Hospitals, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha University, Chennai 600077, Tamil Nadu, India.
³ Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Bio-Sciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), Vellore 632014, India. Electronic address: abilash.vg@vit.ac.in.
⁴ Jindal Institute of Behavioral Sciences (JIBS), Jindal Global Institution of Eminence Deemed to Be University, 28, Sonipat 131001, India; Director of Clinical Sciences, Northern Territory Institute of Research and Training, Darwin, NT 0909, Australia.
⁵ Department of Life Sciences, Presidency University, Kolkata, West Bengal 700073, India.
⁶ Stem cell and Regenerative Medicine/Translational Research, Department of Zoology, School of Basic Sciences, Central University of Punjab (CUPB), Bathinda 151401, Punjab, India.
⁷ Institute for Liver and Digestive Diseases, Hallym University, Chuncheon 24252, Republic of Korea.

PMID: 37414140
DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2023.121913

Abstract

Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) has morphological and physiological contiguity with the myocardium and coronary arteries, making it a visceral fat deposit with some unique properties. Under normal circumstances, EAT exhibits biochemical, mechanical, and thermogenic cardioprotective characteristics. Under clinical processes, epicardial fat can directly impact the heart and coronary arteries by secreting proinflammatory cytokines via vasocrine or paracrine mechanisms. It is still not apparent what factors affect this equilibrium. Returning epicardial fat to its physiological purpose may be possible by enhanced local vascularization, weight loss, and focused pharmacological therapies. This review centers on EAT's developing physiological and pathophysiological dimensions and its various and pioneering clinical utilities.

Keywords: Cardiovascular disease; Epicardial adipose tissue; Free fatty acids; Lipotoxicity; PPAR-γ.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Adipose Tissue* / physiology
Coronary Vessels
Cytokines
Myocardium
Pericardium*

Substances

Cytokines