Open AccessThe Expression of SPARC in Adipose Tissue and Its Increased Plasma Concentration in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease
Author(s) -
Takahashi Masahiko,
Nagaretani Hiroyuki,
Funahashi Tohru,
Nishizawa Hitoshi,
Maeda Norikazu,
Kishida Ken,
Kuriyama Hiroshi,
Shimomura Iichiro,
Maeda Kazuhisa,
Hotta Kikuko,
Ouchi Noriyuki,
Kihara Shinji,
Nakamura Tadashi,
Yamashita Shizuya,
Matsuzawa Yuji
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
obesity research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1550-8528
pISSN - 1071-7323
DOI - 10.1038/oby.2001.50
Subject(s) - coronary artery disease , adipose tissue , medicine , cardiology , plasma concentration , disease
Objective: Adipocytes secrete various cytokines and matrix proteins. Several of them precipitate in obesity‐associated diseases, including atherosclerosis. In the current study, we have examined the expression of secreted protein, acidic and rich in cysteine (SPARC) in adipose tissue and its significance in obesity and coronary artery disease (CAD). Research Methods and Procedures: The SPARC mRNA expressions both in vivo and in vitro were detected by Northern blot analysis. Plasma SPARC concentrations were measured by enzyme immunosorbent assay. First, we investigated the plasma SPARC levels of 88 unrelated adult Japanese subjects (62 men and 26 women; average age: [± SD] 50 ± 12 years; body mass index [BMI]: 16 to 46 kg/m 2 ). Additionally 31 subjects with CAD diagnosed by coronary angiography (20 men and 11 women) were also investigated. Results: Human adipose tissues expressed abundant SPARC mRNA. SPARC expression in adipose tissues was upregulated in obese db/db mice. Markedly enhanced expression of SPARC mRNA was observed in 3T3‐L1 fibroblasts during adipocyte differentiation. Consistent with these results, plasma SPARC levels proved a positive correlation with BMI in humans ( r = 0.27; p < 0.01). Interestingly, plasma SPARC concentrations were significantly elevated in age‐ and BMI‐matched subjects with CAD ( p < 0.05). Discussion: SPARC was expressed in adipose tissues and its expression was enhanced in obese mice. In human, plasma SPARC levels were elevated in obesity and CAD patients. This elevated SPARC may be involved in the progression of CAD.