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International Journal of Molecular... May 2023Here, we examined the expression of ceramide metabolism enzymes in the subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT), epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) and perivascular adipose tissue...
Here, we examined the expression of ceramide metabolism enzymes in the subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT), epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) and perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT) of 30 patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and 30 patients with valvular heart disease (VHD) by means of quantitative polymerase chain reaction and fluorescent Western blotting. The EAT of patients with CAD showed higher expression of the genes responsible for ceramide biosynthesis (, , , , , , and ) and utilization (, ). PVAT was characterized by higher mRNA levels of , , , , and ceramide utilization enzyme (). In patients with VHD, there was a high , , and expression in the EAT and and expression in the PVAT. Among patients with CAD, the expression of in SAT and EAT, in EAT, in all studied AT, and in EAT, in SAT and EAT, in all studied AT, and in EAT was higher than in those with VHD. Protein levels of ceramide-metabolizing enzymes were consistent with gene expression trends. The obtained results indicate an activation of ceramide synthesis de novo and from sphingomyelin in cardiovascular disease, mainly in EAT, that contributes to the accumulation of ceramides in this location.
Topics: Humans; Ceramides; Cardiovascular Diseases; Adipose Tissue; Subcutaneous Fat; Coronary Artery Disease; Pericardium
PubMed: 37298446
DOI: 10.3390/ijms24119494 -
Circulation Research May 2022Macrophages play an important role in cardiac repair after myocardial infarction (MI). In addition to the resident macrophages and blood-derived monocytes, Gata6 cavity...
BACKGROUND
Macrophages play an important role in cardiac repair after myocardial infarction (MI). In addition to the resident macrophages and blood-derived monocytes, Gata6 cavity macrophages located in the pericardial space were recently reported to relocate to the injured myocardium and prevent cardiac fibrosis. However, there is no direct genetic evidence to support it.
METHODS
We used dual recombinases (Cre and Dre) to specifically label Gata6 pericardial macrophages (GPCMs) in vivo. For functional study, we generated genetic systems to specifically ablate GPCMs by induced expression of DTR (diphtheria toxin receptor) or knockout of Gata6 (GATA binding protein 6) gene in GPCMs. We used these genetic systems to study GPCMs in pericardium intact MI model.
RESULTS
Dual recombinases-mediated genetic system targeted GPCMs specifically and efficiently. Lineage tracing study revealed accumulation of GPCMs on the surface of MI heart without deep penetration into the myocardium. We did not detect significant change of cardiac fibrosis or function of MI hearts after cell ablation or Gata6 knockout in GPCMs.
CONCLUSIONS
GPCMs minimally invade the injured heart after MI. Nor do they prevent cardiac fibrosis and exhibit reparative function on injured heart. This study also underlines the importance of using specific genetic tool for studying in vivo cell fates and functions.
Topics: Animals; Fibrosis; Macrophages; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Myocardial Infarction; Myocardium; Pericardium; Recombinases
PubMed: 35440174
DOI: 10.1161/CIRCRESAHA.122.320567 -
International Journal of Molecular... Nov 2019Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) is part of the visceral adipose tissue (VAT) that surrounds the heart and it is a quantifiable, modifiable, and multifaceted tissue that... (Review)
Review
Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) is part of the visceral adipose tissue (VAT) that surrounds the heart and it is a quantifiable, modifiable, and multifaceted tissue that has both local and systemic effects. When EAT is enlarged, EAT contributes to atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk and plays a role in the development of metabolic syndrome (MetS). In this review, we will discuss the role of EAT in various facets of MetS, including type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and insulin resistance. We examine the association between EAT and liver steatosis. We also address the correlations of EAT with HIV therapy and with psoriasis. We discuss racial differences in baseline EAT thickness. We conclude that EAT measurement serves as a powerful potential diagnostic tool in assessing cardiovascular and metabolic risk. Measurement of EAT is made less costly, more convenient, and yet accurate and reliable by transthoracic echocardiography. Furthermore, modification of EAT thickness has therapeutic implications for ASCVD, T2DM, and MetS.
Topics: Biomarkers; Cardiovascular Diseases; Humans; Intra-Abdominal Fat; Lipid Metabolism; Metabolic Syndrome; Pericardium
PubMed: 31795098
DOI: 10.3390/ijms20235989 -
International Journal of Surgery... Oct 2021Valve disease carries a huge burden globally and the number of heart valve procedures are projected to increase from the current 300 000 to 800 000 annually by 2050.... (Review)
Review
Valve disease carries a huge burden globally and the number of heart valve procedures are projected to increase from the current 300 000 to 800 000 annually by 2050. Since its genesis 50 years ago, pericardial heart valve has moved leaps and bounds to ever more ingenious designs and manufacturing methods with parallel developments in cardiology and cardiovascular surgical treatments. This feat has only been possible through close collaboration of many scientific disciplines in the fields of engineering, material sciences, basic tissue biology, medicine and surgery. As the pace of change continues to accelerate, we ask the readers to go back with us in time to understand developments in design and function of pericardial heart valves. This descriptive review seeks to focus on the qualities of pericardial heart valves, the advantages, successes and failures encapsulating the evolution of surgically implanted pericardial heart valves over the past five decades. We present the data on comparison of the pericardial heart valves to porcine valves, discuss structural valve deterioration and the future of heart valve treatments.
Topics: Animals; Aortic Valve; Bioprosthesis; Forecasting; Heart Valve Diseases; Heart Valve Prosthesis; Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation; Pericardium; Prosthesis Design; Swine
PubMed: 34543742
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijsu.2021.106121 -
Circulation Research Jan 2020The heart is lined by a single layer of mesothelial cells called the epicardium that provides important cellular contributions for embryonic heart formation. The... (Review)
Review
The heart is lined by a single layer of mesothelial cells called the epicardium that provides important cellular contributions for embryonic heart formation. The epicardium harbors a population of progenitor cells that undergo epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition displaying characteristic conversion of planar epithelial cells into multipolar and invasive mesenchymal cells before differentiating into nonmyocyte cardiac lineages, such as vascular smooth muscle cells, pericytes, and fibroblasts. The epicardium is also a source of paracrine cues that are essential for fetal cardiac growth, coronary vessel patterning, and regenerative heart repair. Although the epicardium becomes dormant after birth, cardiac injury reactivates developmental gene programs that stimulate epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition; however, it is not clear how the epicardium contributes to disease progression or repair in the adult. In this review, we will summarize the molecular mechanisms that control epicardium-derived progenitor cell migration, and the functional contributions of the epicardium to heart formation and cardiomyopathy. Future perspectives will be presented to highlight emerging therapeutic strategies aimed at harnessing the regenerative potential of the fetal epicardium for cardiac repair.
Topics: Animals; Heart Diseases; Humans; Myocardium; Paracrine Communication; Pericardium; Regeneration
PubMed: 31999538
DOI: 10.1161/CIRCRESAHA.119.315857 -
Brazilian Journal of Cardiovascular... Oct 2023Aortic stenosis (AS) is the most common valvular heart disease and the most common indication for aortic valve replacement in adults. Aortic valve neocuspidization...
INTRODUCTION
Aortic stenosis (AS) is the most common valvular heart disease and the most common indication for aortic valve replacement in adults. Aortic valve neocuspidization (AVNeo) with fixed autologous pericardium, also known as the Ozaki procedure, is a possible alternative treatment of AS. Autopericardial valves save the dynamics and physiological anatomy of the aortic root, however, the service life of autopericardial leaflets is limited. There is no data about factors that may influence the development of AVNeo insufficiency. Here, we assessed the effect of autopericardial leaflet symmetry on the development of aortic insufficiency after Ozaki procedure.
METHODS
This study included 381 patients with AS who underwent Ozaki procedure. Patients were divided into group 1 (171 patients with symmetric aortic root) and group 2 (210 patients with asymmetric aortic root).
RESULTS
The maximum observation period was up to 65 months. Sixteen cases of aortic insufficiency were detected in group 1, and 33 cases were detected in group 2. Based on the results of Cox regression, the predictors of aortic insufficiency in the late postoperative period are age and asymmetry of neocusps. According to results of Kaplan-Meier analysis, insufficiency of AVNeo in the maximum follow-up period after surgical correction of AS for group 1 patients was significantly lower than for group 2 patients (P=0.006).
CONCLUSION
Asymmetric neocusps increase the risk of aortic insufficiency in the mid-term period after Ozaki procedure. And the older the patients at the time of surgery, the less likely they develop AVNeo insufficiency.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Aortic Valve; Heart Valve Diseases; Aortic Valve Stenosis; Aortic Valve Insufficiency; Heart Valve Prosthesis; Pericardium; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 37797236
DOI: 10.21470/1678-9741-2022-0370 -
International Journal of Molecular... Jul 2022Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in the world. In 2019, 550 million people were suffering from CVD and 18 million of them died as a result.... (Review)
Review
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in the world. In 2019, 550 million people were suffering from CVD and 18 million of them died as a result. Most of them had associated risk factors such as high fasting glucose, which caused 134 million deaths, and obesity, which accounted for 5.02 million deaths. Diabesity, a combination of type 2 diabetes and obesity, contributes to cardiac, metabolic, inflammation and neurohumoral changes that determine cardiac dysfunction (diabesity-related cardiomyopathy). Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) is distributed around the myocardium, promoting myocardial inflammation and fibrosis, and is associated with an increased risk of heart failure, particularly with preserved systolic function, atrial fibrillation and coronary atherosclerosis. In fact, several hypoglycaemic drugs have demonstrated a volume reduction of EAT and effects on its metabolic and inflammation profile. However, it is necessary to improve knowledge of the diabesity pathophysiologic mechanisms involved in the development and progression of cardiovascular diseases for comprehensive patient management including drugs to optimize glucometabolic control. This review presents the mechanisms of diabesity associated with cardiovascular disease and their therapeutic implications.
Topics: Adipose Tissue; Aged; Cardiovascular Diseases; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Humans; Inflammation; Obesity; Pericardium
PubMed: 35887234
DOI: 10.3390/ijms23147886 -
The Journal of Thoracic and... Aug 2020
Topics: Animals; Heart Valve Prosthesis; Pericardium; Pulmonary Valve; Swine
PubMed: 32532504
DOI: 10.1016/j.jtcvs.2020.04.135 -
The Journal of Thoracic and... Aug 2020
Topics: Animals; Aortic Valve; Heart Valve Prosthesis; Pericardium; Pulmonary Valve; Swine
PubMed: 32089346
DOI: 10.1016/j.jtcvs.2020.01.038 -
Association of Epicardial and Pericardial Adipose Tissue Volumes with Coronary Artery Calcification.International Heart Journal Nov 2022Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) and pericardial adipose tissue (PAT) are anatomically close to the myocardium and may influence cardiovascular pathology. Thus, in this...
Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) and pericardial adipose tissue (PAT) are anatomically close to the myocardium and may influence cardiovascular pathology. Thus, in this study, we aim to assess whether EAT and PAT volumes were associated with coronary artery calcification score (CCS) in patients with suspected coronary artery disease (CAD), especially in overweight and obese individuals.We included consecutive patients with suspected CAD in whom EAT volume, PAT volume, and CCS were measured via computed tomography between September 2015 and June 2017 at the Affiliated Hospital of Chengde Medical University, China. Logistic regression models were applied to analyze the risk factors for CCS ≥ 100 Agatston units (AU) and in different body mass index (BMI) subgroups.EAT and PAT volumes were noted to be higher in people with BMI ≥ 24 kg/m, BMI ≥ 28 kg/m, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, diabetes, stroke, and CCS ≥ 100 AU (P < 0.05). After adjusting for the traditional CAD factors, we found that EAT and PAT volumes were independent risk factors for CCS ≥ 100 AU (odds ratio, 3.001; 95% confidence interval, 1.900-4.740, P < 0.001). In patients with CCS ≥ 100 AU, the EAT and PAT volumes were noted to be greater in the BMI ≥ 24 kg/m and BMI ≥ 28 kg/m subgroups than in the BMI < 24 kg/m and BMI < 28 kg/m subgroups, respectively (P < 0.05).Our results indicate that EAT and PAT volumes may be clinical predictors for a CCS ≥ 100 AU, especially in overweight and obese individuals.
Topics: Humans; Coronary Artery Disease; Vascular Calcification; Overweight; Pericardium; Adipose Tissue; Risk Factors; Obesity; Coronary Angiography
PubMed: 36372406
DOI: 10.1536/ihj.22-006