Development of evaluating method of epicardial fat quality by MR spectroscopy

• Project/Area Number: 18K08040
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 53020:Cardiology-related
• Research Institution: The University of Tokushima
• Principal Investigator: YAGI Shusuke 徳島大学, 大学院医歯薬学研究部(医学域), 特任准教授 (00507650)
• Project Period (FY): 2018-04-01 – 2021-03-31
• Project Status: Completed (Fiscal Year 2020)
• Budget Amount: ¥4,420,000 (Direct Cost: ¥3,400,000、Indirect Cost: ¥1,020,000); Fiscal Year 2020: ¥1,040,000 (Direct Cost: ¥800,000、Indirect Cost: ¥240,000); Fiscal Year 2019: ¥1,040,000 (Direct Cost: ¥800,000、Indirect Cost: ¥240,000); Fiscal Year 2018: ¥2,340,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,800,000、Indirect Cost: ¥540,000)
• Keywords: 心臓周囲脂肪

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Accumulation of epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) has been known as a risk factor of cardiovascular disease. EAT volume has been evaluated by echocardiography and CT scan. However, no method has been known regarding evaluation of EAT quality such as lipid deposition. MR spectroscopy is widely used in a clinical setting for evaluating molecule in the tissue. Thus, we focused on development of evaluating method of EAT quality by MR spectroscopy. We clarified deposition of lipid in EAT is a risk factor of cardiovascular disease as well as EAT volume.

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

これまで高血圧・糖尿病・高コレステロール血症などは心臓病の危険因子であることがしられていたが、これらの治療のみでは、心血管病を予防することはできない。したがって新しい治療の標的が必要である。心臓周囲脂肪の過剰な蓄積は内臓脂肪蓄積とは独立した心血管病発症の危険医師であることは知られている。本研究では、磁気の力で侵襲を伴うことなく評価した心臓の脂肪含有量が冠動脈疾患の重症度と関連があることを明らかにした。今後新しい心血管病を予防する標的となることが示された。