Adiponectin--its potential to predict and prevent coronary artery disease

Recent evidence suggests that epicardial adipose tissue may contribute locally to the pathogenesis of coronary artery disease (CAD). We investigated how local and systemic adiponectin, an adipokine with anti-inflammatory and insulin sensitizing properties, is related to the presence of CAD and cardiovascular risk factors.

Serum and adipose tissue samples from subcutaneous and pericoronary depots were collected from sixty consecutive patients with CAD who required coronary artery bypass grafting or patients without CAD who underwent cardiac surgery for aortic valve replacement. Western blot, ELISA and PCR were used to detect and determine the adiponectin concentrations and expression in the samples.

Adiponectin concentrations in the serum and pericoronary fat of patients without CAD were significantly higher than in patients with CAD ( P < 0.01). However, the expression of adiponectin mRNA did not differ in any instances. Male gender, BMI > 30 and type 2 diabetes were significantly correlated to decreased serum adiponectin ( P < 0.03).

Pericoronary fat specifically secretes metabolically active adiponectin. Its local and systemic concentrations are inversely correlated to the presence of coronary artery disease, indicating its anti-atherogenic effects. As for patients with CAD, adiponectin might be a promising marker for intra-individual monitoring of cardiovascular risk factors and thus a course of secondary prevention. Further evaluation is necessary to elucidate whether a novel therapeutic option could be derived against the onset and progression of CAD.