Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 6, 2026
Assessment of Vascular Tone Responsiveness using Isolated Mesenteric Arteries with a Focus on Modulation by Perivascular Adipose Tissues
Published on: June 3, 2019
Transcardiac adiponectin gradient is independently related to endothelial vasomotor function in large and resistance
Hajime Takano1, Yasushi Kodama, Yoshinobu Kitta
1Dept. of Internal Medicine II, Interdisciplinary Graduate School of Medicine and Engineering, University of Yamanashi, Chuo City, 409-3898 Japan.
Insights
The transcardiac gradient of adiponectin correlates with improved coronary artery function in response to acetylcholine. This adiponectin gradient may play a role in coronary vasomotor dysfunction.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Physiology
- Endocrinology
- Vascular Biology
Background:
- Adiponectin, a protein from fat cells, exhibits protective effects on blood vessels.
- The role of adiponectin within the coronary vascular bed and its relation to vasomotor function requires further elucidation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between the transcardiac gradient of adiponectin and coronary vasomotor responses.
- To determine if adiponectin utilization/accumulation in the coronary vasculature influences endothelial function.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of epicardial diameter and coronary blood flow responses to acetylcholine in 108 subjects with normal coronary angiograms.
- Measurement of adiponectin levels in aortic root (Ao) and anterior interventricular vein (AIV) plasma using ELISA.
- Multivariate regression analysis to assess the correlation between adiponectin gradient and vasomotor function, independent of risk factors.
Main Results:
- Adiponectin levels were lower in the AIV compared to the Ao, indicating a transcardiac gradient.
- A positive correlation was observed between the transcardiac adiponectin gradient and enhanced epicardial coronary diameter and blood flow in response to acetylcholine.
- No significant adiponectin gradient was found in patients with coronary spastic or microvascular angina, suggesting impaired vasomotor responses.
Conclusions:
- The transcardiac gradient of adiponectin appears to modulate endothelial vasomotor function in both large and small coronary arteries.
- Adiponectin dynamics within the coronary circulation may be implicated in the development of diseases characterized by coronary vasomotor dysfunction.
Abstract:
Adiponectin, an adipocyte-derived protein, has been shown to have vasculoprotective effects. This study examined the possible relationship between coronary vasomotor function and the transcardiac gradient of adiponectin, reflecting adiponectin utilization and/or accumulation in the coronary vascular bed. The epicardial diameter and blood flow response of the left anterior descending coronary artery to intracoronary infusions of ACh was analyzed in 108 consecutive subjects who had a normal coronary angiogram and left ventriculogram. Adiponectin levels were measured by ELISA in plasma obtained from the aortic root (Ao) and the anterior interventricular vein (AIV). Adiponectin levels in the AIV were lower than levels in the Ao. In multivariate linear regression analysis, the transcardiac gradient of adiponectin (Ao - AIV levels) showed a positive correlation with increases in epicardial coronary diameter and coronary blood flow in response to ACh that was independent of traditional coronary risk factors. The transcardiac gradient of adiponectin was not significantly associated with the coronary dilator response to isosorbide dinitrate and the coronary flow response to sodium nitroprusside. In other groups of patients with coronary spastic angina (n = 41) or microvascular angina (n = 32) who had impaired coronary vasomotor responses, there was no significant gradient of adiponectin between the Ao and AIV. The transcardiac gradient of adiponectin may modulate endothelial vasomotor function in large and resistance coronary arteries and may play a role in the pathogenesis of diseases presenting with coronary vasomotor dysfunction.
Related Concept Videos
01:30Coronary Artery Disease I: Introduction
01:29Heart Failure II: Pathophysiology