Abstract
The receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) is a multiligand cell-surface molecule expressed on different cell types. Increased RAGE expression in adipose tissue has been associated to inflammation and adipocyte hypertrophy. Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) is a visceral fat surrounding the myocardium with a potential role in onset/progression of cardiovascular diseases. Currently the role of RAGE at EAT level is poorly explored. Our aim was to evaluate the relationships between RAGE expression at human EAT level, EAT thickness and EAT adipocyte size. EAT samples (n=33) were obtained from patients undergoing open-heart surgery. RAGE expression was evaluated by microarray. EAT thickness was quantified in vivo by echocardiography. Adipocyte size was measured by morphometric analysis. Patients were stratified into two groups (Q1 and Q2) according to the median RAGE expression value. EAT thickness was higher in Q2 vs Q1 (7.8±0.33 mm vs 5.9±0.81;p=0.05). A positive correlation was observed between local RAGE expression and EAT thickness (r=0.41,p=0.05). In other analysis, patients were classified into two groups (Q1 and Q2) according to the median EAT thickness value (7.5 mm). Compared to Q1, in Q2 RAGE expression was higher (p<0.05) and EAT adipocytes were hypertrophic (mean area±SD: 266.00±19.73 μm2 vs 216.00±11.27 μm2,p<0.05). These data suggest that RAGE could play a role at human EAT level by promoting adipocyte hypertrophy and thus resulting in EAT thickness increase. Supported by: Space Import Export Srl, Milan, Italy and Italian Ministry for Health
Published Version
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