Related Experiment Videos

Fatty Acid-Binding Protein 4 and Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events: A Dose-Response Meta-Analysis of Prospective

Yanjie Jiang1, Shipeng Zhang2, Man Lu3

  • 1Nanjing Hospital of Chinese Medicine Affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, No. 157 Daming Road, Nanjing 210022, China.

European Journal of Preventive Cardiology
|May 19, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Higher levels of fatty acid-binding protein 4 (FABP4) significantly increase the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and cardiovascular death. This finding highlights FABP4 as a potential prognostic marker for cardiovascular disease.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Research
  • Biomarker Discovery
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Circulating fatty acid-binding protein 4 (FABP4) is implicated in metabolic and cardiovascular processes.
  • Understanding the prognostic value of FABP4 in cardiovascular disease is crucial for risk stratification.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To quantify the association between circulating FABP4 levels and the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE).
  • To evaluate the relationship between FABP4 and secondary cardiovascular outcomes in prospective cohort studies.

Main Methods:

  • Systematic literature search of PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library.
  • Meta-analysis of 35 prospective cohort studies using random-effects models.
  • Hazard ratios (HRs) and confidence intervals (CIs) were pooled; dose-response analyses were performed.

Main Results:

  • Individuals in the highest FABP4 category had a 61.6% higher risk of MACE (HR=1.616).
  • Elevated FABP4 levels were linked to increased risks of cardiovascular death, heart failure, and myocardial infarction.
  • Each 10 ng/mL increase in FABP4 was associated with a 16.6% higher MACE risk and 13.1% higher cardiovascular death risk.

Conclusions:

  • Higher circulating FABP4 levels are significantly associated with increased risks of MACE and cardiovascular death.
  • FABP4 demonstrates potential as a prognostic biomarker for cardiovascular events.
  • Further evaluation of FABP4 is warranted for clinical application in cardiovascular risk assessment.
Abstract

Keywords:
Fatty acid-binding protein 4dose-response relationshipmajor adverse cardiovascular eventsprospective cohort studysystematic review and meta-analysis

Related Concept Videos

Atherosclerosis III: Management01:26

Atherosclerosis III: Management

Management of atherosclerosis involves an integrated strategy encompassing pharmacological treatment, surgical interventions, lifestyle changes, and nutrition therapy to address the multifactorial nature of the disease.Pharmacological TherapyA cornerstone of atherosclerosis management is the use of pharmacological agents. Statins, such as atorvastatin, are pivotal in inhibiting HMG-CoA reductase, an enzyme that catalyzes an initial step in cholesterol synthesis in the liver. This reduction in...
Coronary Artery Disease IV: Preventive Measures01:26

Coronary Artery Disease IV: Preventive Measures

Effective preventive measures for coronary artery disease (CAD) focus on controlling modifiable risk factors, including cholesterol abnormalities and lifestyle changes.Cholesterol ManagementFirst, the Mediterranean diet and the American Heart Association advocate for maintaining low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels below 100 mg/dL, with a more stringent recommendation of below 70 mg/dL for individuals at high risk. LDL cholesterol, often termed "bad cholesterol," can lead to the...
Lipid-Lowering Drugs: Statins and Miscellaneous Agents01:20

Lipid-Lowering Drugs: Statins and Miscellaneous Agents

Hyperlipidemia, a medical condition often referred to as high cholesterol, is characterized by abnormally elevated levels of lipids in the bloodstream. When present in excess, these lipids, specifically cholesterol and triglycerides, can lead to serious health complications, often involving cardiovascular diseases. Illnesses like atherosclerosis, heart attacks, and pancreatitis have all been linked to untreated hyperlipidemia. This means controlling and regulating cholesterol and triglyceride...
Overview of Fatty Acid Metabolism01:28

Overview of Fatty Acid Metabolism

Lipids also are sources of energy that power cellular processes. Like carbohydrates, lipids are composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, but these atoms are arranged differently. Most lipids are nonpolar and hydrophobic. Major types include fats and oils, waxes, phospholipids, and steroids.
Fatty acids are catabolized in a process called beta-oxidation, which takes place in the matrix of the mitochondria and converts their fatty acid chains into two-carbon units of acetyl groups. The acetyl...
Coronary Artery Disease I: Introduction01:30

Coronary Artery Disease I: Introduction

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD): An Overview with Scientific InsightsCoronary Artery Disease (CAD), often referred to as C-A-D, is a prevalent blood vessel disorder classified under the broader category of atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is a pathological process characterized by the hardening and narrowing of arteries due to the accumulation of atherosclerotic plaques. These plaques are composed of cholesterol, fatty substances, inflammatory cells, calcium, and fibrin, reducing blood flow to...
Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System II: CRP, Hcy, and Cardiac Natriuretic Peptide Markers01:19

Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System II: CRP, Hcy, and Cardiac Natriuretic Peptide Markers

Cardiac biomarkers are critical in diagnosing, prognosing, and managing cardiovascular diseases. Routine measurement of specific biomarkers such as B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), C-reactive protein (CRP), and homocysteine (Hcy) is common practice in clinical settings to evaluate heart function and predict cardiovascular events.
These markers indicate stress or strain on the heart muscle:
Natriuretic Peptides (BNP)
Cardiac myocytes produce these hormones in response to ventricular stretching...