Epicardial adipose tissue: emerging physiological, pathophysiological and clinical features.

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Metabolic Research
• Vascular Biology

Background:

• Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) is a visceral fat depot adjacent to the heart and coronary arteries.
• Physiologically, EAT provides cardioprotective benefits through biochemical, mechanical, and thermogenic functions.
• Pathologically, EAT secretes proinflammatory cytokines, impacting local cardiac and vascular health.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the physiological and pathophysiological roles of epicardial fat.
• To explore the emerging clinical applications of understanding epicardial fat.
• To emphasize the paracrine/endocrine functions of EAT in atherosclerosis.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of physiological and pathophysiological aspects of epicardial fat.
• Analysis of emerging clinical applications and therapeutic interventions.
• Focus on paracrine and endocrine signaling pathways.

Main Results:

• Epicardial fat exhibits dual roles: cardioprotective under normal conditions and detrimental when inflamed.
• Proinflammatory cytokine secretion by EAT contributes to atherosclerosis development and progression.
• Factors influencing the EAT equilibrium, such as vascularization and weight loss, are key.

Conclusions:

• Understanding epicardial fat's complex role is crucial for cardiovascular health.
• Targeted interventions may modulate EAT to restore its protective functions.
• Epicardial fat's paracrine/endocrine properties are central to its impact on atherosclerosis.