LEPR isoform expression changes in local fat depots in coronary atherosclerosis and acquired heart defects

Aim. To evaluate the expression of leptin receptor isoforms in local fat depots in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and acquired heart defects (AHDs).

Material and methods. The study included 120 patients with CAD. The comparison group consisted of 96 patients with degenerative aortic stenosis (AS). Expression of six leptin receptor isoforms (LEPR1, LEPR2, LEPR2/2, LEPR3, LEPR3/2, LEPR4) was assessed using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction in subcutaneous (SAT), epicardial (EAT) and perivascular (PVAT) adipose tissue. Statistical processing was carried out using the Statistica 10.0 and SPSS 17.0 for Windows software package.

Results. In EAT, minimal expression of LEPR1, LEPR2, LEPR2/2, LEPR3, LEPR3/2, LEPR4 was detected relative to SAT and PVAT in the group of CAD patients. In patients with CAD, mRNA levels of six LEPR isoforms were lower than in patients with AS. In indi­viduals with AHDs, a decrease in the expression of LEPR1, LEPR2, LEPR2/2, LEPR3, LEPR3/2, LEPR4 in SAT relative to EAT and PVAT was recorded. However, only the LEPR1 and LEPR2 isoforms were significantly lower in SAT in patients with AS when com­pared with patients with CAD. In PVAT, the maximum mRNA levels of six LEPR isoforms were found in both groups. There were no significant differences in LEPR1, LEPR2, LEPR2/2, LEPR3, LEPR3/2, LEPR4 expression between patients with CAD and AHDs.

Conclusion. Patients with CAD are characterized by a marked decrease in the expression of six LEPR isoforms in EAT. A decrease in the expression of studied LEPR isoforms in EAT is associated with impaired adipogenesis, adipocyte hypertrophy, insulin resistance, increased proinflammatory factors, hyperleptinemia, and progression of atherosclerosis. The identified features of EAT in patients with СФВ can probably have both local and systemic negative effects on the cardiovascular system.

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