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Cardiac lipid accumulation associated with diastolic dysfunction in obese mice
Christina Christoffersen1, Entela Bollano, Marie L S Lindegaard
1Departments of Clinical Biochemistry, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark 2100.
Endocrinology
|July 17, 2003
Summary
Obesity in ob/ob mice leads to increased heart fatty acid metabolism and lipid storage within cardiac cells. This lipid accumulation is associated with impaired diastolic function, a key indicator of heart health.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Biology
- Metabolic Disorders
- Molecular Cardiology
Background:
- Obesity is linked to cardiac dysfunction.
- Lipid accumulation in cardiomyocytes may drive this dysfunction.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate lipid accumulation and cardiac dysfunction in obese ob/ob mice.
- To determine if obesity-induced cardiac changes are linked to diastolic dysfunction.
Main Methods:
- Gene expression analysis of fatty acid metabolism in ob/ob mouse hearts.
- Triglyceride content measurement.
- Histological examination of cardiac myocytes.
- Echocardiography to assess cardiac function.
Main Results:
- Ob/ob mouse hearts showed increased expression of genes involved in fatty acid uptake, transport, and beta-oxidation.
- Significantly higher triglyceride content was found in ob/ob mouse hearts compared to controls.
- Histology revealed lipid droplet accumulation in cardiomyocytes but not increased collagen deposition.
- Echocardiography demonstrated impaired diastolic function (reduced E/A ratio) in ob/ob mice, while systolic function was minimally affected.
Conclusions:
- Obese ob/ob mouse hearts exhibit enhanced fatty acid metabolism and neutral lipid accumulation within cardiomyocytes.
- Cardiac lipid accumulation in this model is associated with diastolic dysfunction.
- These findings highlight a link between obesity, cardiac lipid dysregulation, and diastolic heart failure.