CT imaging to detect fibrosis in epicardial fat and identify patients at high risk for atrial fibrillation

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K19658
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Research (Exploratory)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Medium-sized Section 58:Society medicine, nursing, and related fields
• Research Institution: Oita University
• Principal Investigator: Takahashi Naohiko 大分大学, 医学部, 教授 (30263239)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-07-09 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 心外膜脂肪

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We found that SGLT2 molecules are expressed in mesenchymal stem cells in the stroma of adipose tissue (= preadipocytes) and that their expression decreases as they differentiate into adipocytes. When adipogenic progenitor cells were induced to differentiate while treated with empagliflozin, the expression of PPARγ and CABPA, which are involved in adipogenesis, was not affected, but the expression of FABP4, a marker of adipogenesis, was decreased, and the amount of fat droplets formed was also reduced. In addition, several inflammatory cytokine genes were also suppressed, and oxidative stress in cardiomyocytes given via paracrine effects was reduced in the co-culture experiments.

Free Research Field

循環器内科

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

我々はSGLT2阻害薬が脂肪前駆細胞に作用して脂肪成熟を抑制することを示した。これまでに臨床所見として報告されているEAT量の減少効果は、脂肪組織のターンオーバーを遅延させることで生じている可能性がある。また、本研究によってSGLT2阻害薬は脂肪細胞における炎症性を改善し、隣接する心筋の酸化ストレスを軽減させることも明らかとなった。臨床で認められているSGLT2阻害薬のEAT減少効果を解明した点で学術的意義がある。SGLT2阻害薬は既に市販されており，今後EATの量を減らし質を改善する薬剤として有効である可能性を示した点で社会的意義がある。