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Mechanisms of Lipotoxicity in the Cardiovascular System

  • Mediators, Mechanisms, and Pathways in Tissue Injury (B Rothermel, Section Editor)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Cardiovascular diseases account for approximately one third of all deaths globally. Obese and diabetic patients have a high likelihood of dying from complications associated with cardiovascular dysfunction. Obesity and diabetes increase circulating lipids that upon tissue uptake, may be stored as triglyceride, or may be metabolized in other pathways, leading to the generation of toxic intermediates. Excess lipid utilization or activation of signaling pathways by lipid metabolites may disrupt cellular homeostasis and contribute to cell death, defining the concept of lipotoxicity. Lipotoxicity occurs in multiple organs, including cardiac and vascular tissues, and a number of specific mechanisms have been proposed to explain lipotoxic tissue injury. In addition, recent data suggests that increased tissue lipids may also be protective in certain contexts. This review will highlight recent progress toward elucidating the relationship between nutrient oversupply, lipotoxicity, and cardiovascular dysfunction. The review will focus in two sections on the vasculature and cardiomyocytes respectively.

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Acknowledgments

A.R. Wende and J.D. Symons contributed equally to this work.

A.R. Wende is supported by a National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant K99 HL111322 and a JDRF Advanced Postdoctoral Fellowship 10-2009-672. J.D. Symons is supported by American Heart Association (AHA) Western States Affiliate Grant-In-Aid 06-55222Y, American Diabetes Association Research Grant 7-08-RA-164, and NIH grant R15 HL091493. E.D. Abel is supported by NIH grants R01 DK092065, R01HL108379, U01 HL087947, and is an established investigator of the AHA.

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  1. Program in Molecular Medicine and Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Diabetes, University of Utah School of Medicine, 15 N 2030 E., Bldg. #533, Rm. 3110B, Salt Lake City, UT, 84112, USA

    Adam R. Wende & E. Dale Abel

  2. Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Diabetes and College of Health, University of Utah, 15 N 2030 E., Bldg. #533, Rm. 3110B, Salt Lake City, UT, 84112, USA

    J. David Symons

  3. College of Health, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, 84112, USA

    J. David Symons

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Wende, A.R., Symons, J.D. & Abel, E.D. Mechanisms of Lipotoxicity in the Cardiovascular System. Curr Hypertens Rep 14, 517–531 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11906-012-0307-2

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