Key result
Plasma AhR concentrations were positively correlated with epicardial adipose tissue thickness in men, remaining significant after adjusting for fasting glucose levels.
Why the study?
Aryl hydrocarbon receptor expression is associated with obesity, but its relationship with epicardial adipose tissue remains to be determined.
Cross-Sectional (n=53)
No
Answers are grounded in this paper and cite their sources.
Plasma AhR concentrations are positively correlated with epicardial adipose tissue thickness in men, suggesting AhR may serve as a biomarker for ectopic fat accumulation.
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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Cheng et al. (2023) conducted a cross-sectional in Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome (n=53). Plasma aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) levels vs. Healthy controls (for group comparisons) was evaluated on Association between plasma AhR levels and epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) thickness (regression coefficient 2.907, 95% CI 0.458-5.357, p=0.021). Plasma AhR concentrations were positively correlated with epicardial adipose tissue thickness in men, remaining significant after adjusting for fasting glucose levels.
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