Ectopic fat depots as a factor of cardiovascular risk in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

Abstract

The review represents evaluation of the ectopic fatty depots effect on the development of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Nowadays, NAFLD is the most common cause of chronic liver disease in most countries of the world. A number of studies have confirmed the important role of NAFLD in the formation and progression of CVD, which is manifested by an increased risk of cardiovascular events in patients with NAFLD according to Framingham Risk Score. The statement that NAFLD should be recognized as an independent risk factor for CVD, in addition to other metabolic disorders, is often confirmed. One of the possible mechanisms of interrelation between NAFLD and CVD is the paracrine activity of visceral adipose tissue; the possibility of local effects of various ectopic depots of visceral fat is being discussed. There is no doubt that epicardial adipose tissue plays an important role in the formation of the hepato-cardiac continuum. Тhere are more and more studies evaluating the effect of other ectopic depots on the development of CVD in patients with NAFLD. The article provides an analysis of publications devoted to the interrelation between fatty ectopic depots and CVD risks in patients with NAFLD. MedLine and PubMed databases in English and Russian languages were used for the search. The review includes articles published from 2000 to 2020.