Receptor for advanced glycation end-products expression in subcutaneous adipose tissue is related to coronary artery disease

OBJECTIVE: Obesity, a risk factor for coronary artery disease (CAD), is associated with inflammation and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, while advanced glycation end-products, through their receptor (AGER or RAGE), play an important role on these processes. The aim of this study was to analyze the expression levels of RAGE, NADPH oxidase subunits, and catalase in adipose tissue in relation with CAD. DESIGN AND METHODS: Patients undergoing heart surgery were included in two groups: with and without CAD. Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) and subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) biopsies were analyzed for gene expression by RT-quantitative PCR, immunohistochemistry, or western blot. RESULTS: RAGE mRNA and protein expression in SAT from patients with CAD was lower than in patients without CAD. However, there was no change in EAT from patients with or without CAD. P22-PHOX and RAGE gene expression were higher in EAT than in SAT, whereas catalase mRNA levels were lower. NADPH oxidase subunits and catalase mRNA expression were not influenced by CAD. Whereas NADPH oxidase-dependent oxidative response of SAT and EAT to lipid circulating levels could be different; glycemic levels were not related with the analyzed genes expression. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that RAGE expression in SAT, but not in EAT, is down-regulated in patients with CAD with respect to those without CAD. Although changes were not observed for NADPH oxidase subunits or catalase expression between CAD and non-CAD patients, a possible relationship between ROS production and RAGE expression in adipose tissues cannot be ruled out