Relationship between epicardial adipose tissue thickness and vitamin D in patients with metabolic syndrome

Metabolic syndrome is a systemic disorder and manifests as a group of conditions including abdominal obesity, dyslipidemia, hypertension and coronary artery disease. The importance of epicardial adipose tissue has been proven through recognition of its contribution to inflammation by pro-inflammatory cytokine discharge. Several investigations have been performed on vitamin D receptors in different tissues. In this study, epicardial adipose tissue thickness (EATT) and the levels of vitamin D were measured and compared with a healthy control group.

84 patients who had metabolic syndrome without diabetes and 64 healthy individuals were enrolled into the study. In all patients, the EATT was calculated by ecocardiography and the level of serum 25 (OH) vitamin D was measured.

It was observed that EATT in patients with metabolic syndrome increases significiantly compared to the healthy control group (P < 0.001). No significant difference between patients and control group was found for the levels of 25 (OH) vitamin D (P = 0.507). There was no correlation between 25 (OH) vitamin D and EATT (P = 0.622).

We observed that EATT increased in patients with metabolic syndrome. In contradiction to literature; the levels of 25 (OH) vitamin D was not found to be high in patients with metabolic syndrome. Any significant correlation was not found between EATT and 25 (OH) vitamin D levels. Further studies with a larger patient population are required to assess the relationship.