scholarly journals Epicardial Fat: Physiological, Pathological, and Therapeutic Implications

2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juan Salazar ◽  
Eliana Luzardo ◽  
José Carlos Mejías ◽  
Joselyn Rojas ◽  
Antonio Ferreira ◽  
...  

Epicardial fat is closely related to blood supply vessels, both anatomically and functionally, which is why any change in this adipose tissue’s behavior is considered a potential risk factor for cardiovascular disease development. When proinflammatory adipokines are released from the epicardial fat, this can lead to a decrease in insulin sensitivity, low adiponectin production, and an increased proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells. These adipokines move from one compartment to another by either transcellular passing or diffusion, thus having the ability to regulate cardiac muscle activity, a phenomenon called vasocrine regulation. The participation of these adipokines generates a state of persistent vasoconstriction, increased stiffness, and weakening of the coronary wall, consequently contributing to the formation of atherosclerotic plaques. Therefore, epicardial adipose tissue thickening should be considered a risk factor in the development of cardiovascular disease, a potential therapeutic target for cardiovascular pathology and a molecular point of contact for “endocrine-cardiology.”

Author(s):  
Yun Hwan Kim ◽  
Min Ki Jeong ◽  
Hyuntae Park ◽  
Sang Kab Park

Regular exercise has been proven to prevent hypertension and to help in the management of hypertension. There is a lack of studies examining changes in these issues as a result of Taekwondo training intervention. The aim of the current trial is to identify the effects of a regular Taekwondo (TKD) training program on health-related physical fitness (HRPF), cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors, inflammatory factors, and epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) in elderly women with hypertension. To accomplish this, 20 participants, who were older women with hypertension, were divided into a TKD group (n = 10) and a control group (n = 10). The TKD program was conducted in program for 90 min, three times a week, for 12 weeks. Outcomes, including body composition, blood pressure (BP), HRPF, cardiovascular risk factor and EAT, were measured before and after the Taekwondo program. The 12-week TKD program improved body composition, BP, HRPF, CVD risk factor, and EAT in elderly women with hypertension relative to controls. Meanwhile, EAT and interukin-1β (r = 0.530, p < 0.05), monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (r = 0.524, p < 0.05), triglyceride (r = 0.493, p < 0.05) and sedentary behavior (r = 0.459, p < 0.05) presented a positive correlation, while EAT and lean body mass (r = −0.453, p < 0.05) showed a negative correlation. The 12-week regular TKD training intervention was found to be effective in reducing the thickness of EAT measured by multi-detector computed tomography and can also enhance health-related physical fitness and risk factors of CVD in older individuals with hypertension.


2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (46) ◽  
pp. 4914-4918 ◽  
Author(s):  
Preetha Kamath ◽  
Gabrielle Benesh ◽  
Paolo Romanelli ◽  
Gianluca Iacobellis

: Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disease affecting over 8 million Americans. Importantly, patients with psoriasis are at an increased risk of developing atherosclerosis, coronary artery disease, and myocardial infarctions. Several studies have suggested that psoriasis may be an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease given their shared inflammatory properties and pathogenic similarities. Epicardial fat is also linked to cardiovascular disease and may be an independent risk factor for atherosclerosis. It has been proposed that measuring epicardial fat tissue may serve as a useful subclinical measure of cardiovascular disease in psoriasis patients. Echocardiography has been increasingly adopted as an accurate, minimally invasive, and cost-effective measure of determining the volume and thickness of epicardial fat. Using echocardiographic measures of epicardial fat thickness as a marker of cardiovascular disease and therapeutic target in psoriasis patients may provide clinicians with a means to better manage and hopefully prevent deleterious downstream effects.


2011 ◽  
Vol 81 (4) ◽  
pp. 240-244 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary Ward ◽  
Carol P Wilson ◽  
J J Strain ◽  
Geraldine Horigan ◽  
John M. Scott ◽  
...  

Hypertension is a leading risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and stroke. A common polymorphism in the gene encoding the enzyme methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR), previously identified as the main genetic determinant of elevated homocysteine concentration and also recognized as a risk factor for CVD, appears to be independently associated with hypertension. The B-vitamin riboflavin is required as a cofactor by MTHFR and recent evidence suggests it may have a role in modulating blood pressure, specifically in those with the homozygous mutant MTHFR 677 TT genotype. If studies confirm that this genetic predisposition to hypertension is correctable by low-dose riboflavin, the findings could have important implications for the management of hypertension given that the frequency of this polymorphism ranges from 3 to 32 % worldwide.


Author(s):  
V. N. Krasnoshchekova ◽  
N. E. Ilyukhin

The functional shifts of the cardiovascular system at high intensity of the labor process for the prevention of psycho-emotional stress of the operating personnel and the prevention of the danger of emergency situations at power plants were studied.


2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (43) ◽  
pp. 5617-5627
Author(s):  
Mirjana Stojković ◽  
Miloš Žarković

The prevalence of subclinical hypothyroidism (SH) is 3-10%. The prevalence of subclinical hyperthyroidism (SHr) is 0.7-9.7%. Thyroid hormones affect cardiac electrophysiology, contractility, and vasculature. SH is associated with an increased risk of coronary heart disease (CHD), especially in subjects under 65. SHr seems to be associated with a slightly increased risk of CHD and an increase in CHD-related mortality. Both SH and SHr carry an increased risk of developing heart failure (HF), especially in those under 65. Both SH and SHr are associated with worse prognoses in patients with existing HF. SH is probably not associated with atrial fibrillation (AF). SHr, low normal thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and high normal free thyroxine (FT4) are all associated with the increased risk of AF. An association between endothelial dysfunction and SH seems to exist. Data regarding the influence of SHr on the peripheral vascular system are conflicting. SH is a risk factor for stroke in subjects under 65. SHr does not increase the risk of stroke. Both SH and SHr have an unfavourable effect on cardiovascular disease (CVD) and all-cause mortality. There is a U-shaped curve of mortality in relation to TSH concentrations. A major factor that modifies the relation between subclinical thyroid disease (SCTD) and mortality is age. SH increases blood pressure (BP). SHr has no significant effect on BP. Lipids are increased in patients with SH. In SHr, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and lipoprotein( a) are increased. SCTD should be treated when TSH is over 10 mU/l or under 0.1 mU/l. Treatment indications are less clear when TSH is between normal limits and 0.1 or 10 mU/L. The current state of knowledge supports the understanding of SCTD’s role as a risk factor for CVD development. Age is a significant confounding factor, probably due to age-associated changes in the TSH reference levels.


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