Plasma Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Associated with Epicardial Adipose Tissue in Men: a Cross-sectional Study

Overview

Journal Diabetol Metab Syndr

Publisher Biomed Central

Specialty Endocrinology

Date 2023 Sep 25

PMID 37749614

Authors

Yu-Cheng Cheng

Wei-Chun Ma

Yu-Hsuan Li

Junyi Wu

Kae-Woei Liang

Wen-Jane Lee

Hsiu-Chen Liu

Wayne Huey-Herng Sheu

I-Te Lee

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background: Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) is a type of ectopic fat with endocrine and paracrine functions. Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is a ligand-activated transcription factor that responds to environmental stimuli. AhR expression is associated with obesity. In this cross-sectional study, we aimed to determine the relationship between circulating AhR concentrations and EAT.

Methods: A total of 30 men with obesity and 23 age-matched men as healthy controls were enrolled. Plasma AhR concentrations were determined at fasting. The EAT thickness was measured on the free wall of the right ventricle from the basal short-axis plane by magnetic resonance imaging.

Results: The participants with obesity had a higher plasma AhR level than the controls (81.0 ± 24.5 vs. 65.1 ± 16.4 pg/mL, P = 0.010). The plasma AhR level was positively correlated with EAT thickness (correlation coefficient = 0.380, P = 0.005). After adjusting for fasting glucose levels, plasma AhR levels were still significantly associated with EAT thickness (95% CI 0.458‒5.357, P = 0.021) but not with body mass index (P = 0.168).

Conclusion: Plasma AhR concentrations were positively correlated with EAT thickness on the free wall of the right ventricle in men. Further investigations are needed to evaluate the causal effects and underlying mechanisms between AhR and EAT.

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