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Functions and origins of cardiac fat

Zhengkai Lu1,2, Zhen Jiang1, Juan Tang3

  • 1School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, China.

The FEBS Journal
|February 3, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Cardiac fat, including cardiac adipocytes (CAs) and myocardial triglycerides, plays dual roles in heart health. Understanding its origins and functions is key to treating cardiovascular diseases.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Metabolic Research
  • Cellular Biology

Background:

  • Cardiac adipocytes (CAs) and myocardial triglycerides are stored in the heart.
  • These tissues are located in pericardial, epicardial, and intramyocardial regions.
  • In healthy states, cardiac fat is protective, modulating cardiovascular functions and energy partitioning.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To summarize the roles of cardiac adipocytes and myocardial triglyceride droplets in physiological and pathological conditions.
  • To review the cellular origins of cardiac adipocytes during heart development and disease.
  • To provide insights into the pathophysiology and treatment of cardiovascular diseases.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review summarizing existing research on cardiac fat.
  • Analysis of the functions of cardiac adipocytes and myocardial triglycerides.
  • Investigation of the cellular sources of cardiac adipocytes.

Main Results:

  • Ectopic cardiac adipose tissue becomes lipotoxic, prothrombotic, and pro-inflammatory.
  • Accumulation of triglycerides in cardiomyocytes can cause lipotoxic injury, hypertrophy, and dysfunction.
  • Cardiac fat's dual role highlights its complex involvement in cardiovascular health and disease.

Conclusions:

  • Understanding the functions and cellular origins of cardiac fat is crucial.
  • This knowledge can guide future research on cardiovascular disease pathophysiology.
  • Insights into cardiac fat may lead to novel therapeutic strategies for cardiovascular disorders.

Keywords:
cardiac adipocytecardiomyocytecellular originepicardial adipose tissueintramyocardial adipose tissue

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