Perivascular adipose tissue: more than just structural support

Abstract

The perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT) has recently been recognized as a novel factor in vascular biology, with implications in the pathophysiology of cardiovascular disease. Composed mainly of adipocytes, PVAT releases a wide range of biologically active molecules that modulate the vascular smooth muscle cell contraction, proliferation and migration. PVAT exerts an anticontractile effect in various vascular beds which seems to be mediated by yet elusive PVAT-derived relaxing factor or factors (PVRF). Considerable progress has been made on deciphering the nature and mechanisms of action of PVRF, and the PVRFs proposed until now are reviewed here. However, complex pathways seem to regulate the PVAT function and more than one mechanism is probably responsible for PVAT actions in vascular biology. This review will describe our current knowledge on the structure and function of PVAT, with a focus on its role in modulating vascular tone. Potential involvements of PVAT dysfunction in obesity, hypertension and atherosclerosis will be highlighted.

Epicardial fat thickness in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

“…Their paracrine effects might be attributable to their location being close to the adventitia and extravascular bed [14][15][16] Gastaldelli et al 16 reported the existence of a link between EAT and hypertension, atherosclerosis, and coronary heart disease. Nakanishi and colleagues 17 reported that increased epicardial fat volume measured by CT is associated with greater progression of coronary artery calcification.…”

Pericoronary Adipose Tissue as Possible Supply Site and Storage for Lipoproteins in Human Coronary Artery

“…Perivascular adipocytes (PVA) deliver substantial quantities of metabolically dynamic substances with both endocrine and paracrine actions [19]; PVA of human internal thoracic artery release NO [20]; PVA discharges nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphateoxidase in mice [21]; rat PVA discharge compliment [23,22]; rat PVA discharge metylpalmitate ester [23]; different substances, for example, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 and interleukin-6 are contained in epicardial adipose tissue in patients with acute coronary syndrome [24]; cultured human epicardial adipose tissues release glutation S-transferase P and ApoA1 [25]. But, reports depicting release and storage of lipoproteins from human PVA, including PCAT, to the nearby vessel wall were not found.…”

Associação entre inflamação do tecido adiposo epicárdico e doença arterial coronariana: um estudo clinicopatológico

“…O tecido adiposo perivascular (TAP) é diferente de outros tecidos adiposos, por causa de sua localização ao redor da maior parte dos vasos sanguíneos, com exceção da circulação cerebral 59 . Ainda não é muito bem estabelecido se o TAP é um tecido adiposo branco, bege, marrom ou outro tipo de tecido adiposo 60 , embora haja evidências para se acreditar que seja tecido adiposo branco.…”

“…Ainda não é muito bem estabelecido se o TAP é um tecido adiposo branco, bege, marrom ou outro tipo de tecido adiposo 60 , embora haja evidências para se acreditar que seja tecido adiposo branco. O TAP possui um contato direto com a camada adventícia 61 e com o vasa vasorum 59 . Muitas vezes o TAP infiltra na camada adventícia.…”

“…Hirata et al 64 O tecido adiposo perivascular coronariano se infiltra na camada adventícia, podendo influenciar diretamente a inflamação na artéria coronária 61,69 . O vasa vasorum intercala estruturalmente com o TAP 59,94 , e também pode ser um grande elo entre a inflamação no TAP e a aterosclerose.…”