Perez-Miguelsanz Juliana, Jiménez-Ortega Vanesa, Cano-Barquilla Pilar, Garaulet Marta, Esquifino Ana I, Varela-Moreiras Gregorio, Fernández-Mateos Pilar
Departamento de Anatomía y Embriología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain.
Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Hospital Clínico San Carlos (IdISSC), 28003 Madrid, Spain.
Nutrients. 2021 Aug 24;13(9):2906. doi: 10.3390/nu13092906.
: Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) is a visceral fat depot with unique anatomic, biomolecular and genetic features. Due to its proximity to the coronary arteries and myocardium, dysfunctional EAT may contribute to the development and progression of cardiovascular and metabolic-related adiposity-based chronic diseases. The aim of this work was to describe, by morphological techniques, the early origin of EAT. EAT adipogenesis was studied in 41 embryos from 32 gestational days (GD) to 8 gestational weeks (GW) and in 23 fetuses until full term (from 9 to 36 GW). This process comprises five stages. Stage 1 appears as mesenchyme at 33-35 GD. Stage 2 is characterized by angiogenesis at 42-45 GD. Stage 3 covers up to 34 GW with the appearance of small fibers in the extracellular matrix. Stage 4 is visible around the coronary arteries, as multilocular adipocytes in primitive fat lobules, and Stage 5 is present with unilocular adipocytes in the definitive fat lobules. EAT precursor tissue appears as early as the end of the first gestational month in the atrioventricular grooves. Unilocular adipocytes appear at the eighth gestational month. Due to its early origin, plasticity and clinical implications, factors such as maternal health and nutrition might influence EAT early development in consequence.
心外膜脂肪组织（EAT）是一种具有独特解剖学、生物分子和遗传学特征的内脏脂肪库。由于其靠近冠状动脉和心肌，功能失调的EAT可能会促进心血管和代谢相关的肥胖型慢性疾病的发生和发展。这项工作的目的是通过形态学技术描述EAT的早期起源。在41个从妊娠32天（GD）到妊娠8周（GW）的胚胎以及23个直至足月（从9到36 GW）的胎儿中研究了EAT的脂肪生成。这个过程包括五个阶段。第1阶段在妊娠33 - 35天表现为间充质。第2阶段的特征是在妊娠42 - 45天出现血管生成。第3阶段涵盖至妊娠34周，细胞外基质中出现小纤维。第4阶段在冠状动脉周围可见，表现为原始脂肪小叶中的多房性脂肪细胞，第5阶段在成熟脂肪小叶中存在单房性脂肪细胞。EAT前体组织最早在妊娠第一个月末出现在房室沟中。单房性脂肪细胞在妊娠第八个月出现。由于其早期起源、可塑性和临床意义，诸如母亲健康和营养等因素可能会因此影响EAT的早期发育。
