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Thermogenic potential and physiological relevance of human epicardial adipose tissue

International Journal of Obesity Supplements volume 5, pages S28–S34 (2015)Cite this article

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Abstract

Epicardial adipose tissue is a unique fat depot around the heart that shares a close anatomic proximity and vascular supply with the myocardium and coronary arteries. Its accumulation around the heart, measured using various imaging modalities, has been associated with the onset and progression of coronary artery disease in humans. Epicardial adipose tissue is also the only fat depot around the heart that is known to express uncoupling protein 1 at both mRNA and protein levels in the detectable range. Recent advances have further indicated that human epicardial fat exhibits beige fat-like features. Here we provide an overview of the physiological and pathophysiological relevance of human epicardial fat, and further discuss whether its thermogenic properties can serve as a target for the therapeutic management of coronary heart disease in humans.

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Acknowledgements

We thank Dr Yves Deshaies for his feedback on the paper. KC is a recipient of the Banting postdoctoral fellowship from Canadian Institute of Health Research.

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This article is published as part of a supplement sponsored by the Université Laval’s Research Chair in Obesity, in an effort to inform the public on the causes, consequences, treatments and prevention of obesity.

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  1. Centre de recherche de l’Institut universitaire de cardiologie et de pneumologie de Québec (CRIUCPQ), Université Laval, Quebec, QC, Canada

    K Chechi & D Richard

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Chechi, K., Richard, D. Thermogenic potential and physiological relevance of human epicardial adipose tissue. Int J Obes Supp 5 (Suppl 1), S28–S34 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1038/ijosup.2015.8

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