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World J Diabetes. Dec 15, 2014; 5(6): 868-876
Published online Dec 15, 2014. doi: 10.4239/wjd.v5.i6.868
Cardiac adipose tissue and its relationship to diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease
Adam M Noyes, Kirandeep Dua, Ramprakash Devadoss, Lovely Chhabra
Adam M Noyes, Department of Medicine, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, CT 06030, United States
Kirandeep Dua, Lovely Chhabra, Department of Cardiology, Hartford Hospital, Hartford, CT 06030, United States
Ramprakash Devadoss, Department of Internal Medicine, Saint Vincent Hospital, Worcester, MS 01608, United States
Author contributions: All the authors equally contributed to this paper.
Correspondence to: Lovely Chhabra, MD, Department of Cardiology, Hartford Hospital, Hartford, 80 Seymour Street, Hartford, CT 06030, United States. lovids@hotmail.com
Telephone: +1-860-5455000 Fax: +1-888-5986647
Received: May 29, 2014
Revised: September 23, 2014
Accepted: October 14, 2014
Published online: December 15, 2014
Abstract

Type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) plays a central role in the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, its relationship to epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) and pericardial adipose tissue (PAT) in particular is important in the pathophysiology of coronary artery disease. Owing to its close proximity to the heart and coronary vasculature, EAT exerts a direct metabolic impact by secreting proinflammatory adipokines and free fatty acids, which promote CVD locally. In this review, we have discussed the relationship between T2DM and cardiac fat deposits, particularly EAT and PAT, which together exert a big impact on the cardiovascular health.

Keywords: Epicardial adipose tissue, Pericardial adipose tissue, Type 2 diabetes, Cardiovascular disease

Core tip: Diabetes, a cardiovascular disease equivalent, has considerable effects on the cardiovascular system. Its impact works systemically, but may have more association with epicardial and pericardial adipose tissue locally at the level of the heart. These cardiac tissues have great interplay with diabetic patients and have potential to influence cardiovascular disease.