Epicardial adipose tissue in coronary artery disease: the role of Lipoprotein Lipase and Fatty Acid Binding Protein-4.

TOUCEDA V, ; GOREN N; SCHREIER L; BARCHUK M; LOPEZ G; RUBIO M,; BERG G; CEVEY A; NAKAJIMA; MIKSZTOWICZ V

Mar del Plata

Congreso; LXIV Reunión Anual de la Sociedad Argentina de Investigación Clínica; 2019

Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) is a visceral AT surrounding myocardium and coronary arteries, which increase is related to coronary artery disease (CAD). EAT lipoprotein lipase (LPL) would be partly responsible for its increase through lipoproteins catabolism, supplying fatty acids to the tissue. In this context, Fatty Acid Binding Protein-4 (FABP4) would contribute to CAD risk. As it is known, gene and protein expression not necessarily represent the final behavior of an enzyme, and tissue behavior is not always reflected in circulation, so our aim was to evaluate LPL gene, protein and activity levels in EAT, and its serum concentration. We also assessed FABP4 and VLDL Receptor (VLDLR) tissue expression.Methods: in EAT and subcutaneous AT (SAT) from patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft (CAD,n=51) or valve replacement (No CAD,n=28) LPL mRNA, protein and activity were evaluated by RT-qPCR, western blot and a radiometric assay, respectively. In serum, LPL levels (ELISA) and metabolic profile were assessed. Tissue protein levels of VLDLR and FABP4 were evaluated by western blot. The study was approved by the Ethic Committee of the Hospital de Clínicas.Results: CAD patients presented higher insulin-resistance markers than No CAD (p=0.001). Serum LPL levels were decreased in CAD patients (p=0.03), while in EAT no differences were found in LPL mRNA or protein levels between groups; LPL activity was increased in EAT from CAD patients (p