Comparison of fatty acid composition of subcutaneous, pericardial and epicardial adipose tissue and atrial tissue in patients with heart disease

OBJECTIVES The content in adipose tissue of marine n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) is a marker of long-term fish consumption and data suggest an antiarrhythmic effect of n-3 PUFAs. We investigated the correlation between adipose tissue content of the major n-3 PUFAs, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), from three different adipose tissue compartments [epicardial (EAT), pericardial (PAT) and subcutaneous (SAT)]. Furthermore, we studied the correlation between the content of EPA and DHA in these compartments and in atrial tissue (AT). METHODS We obtained AT from auricles, EAT above the right ventricle, PAT, and SAT below the sternum from 50 patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Samples were frozen at -80°C and the content of n-3 PUFAs determined by gas chromatography with results given in relative weight%. RESULTS EPA and DHA were significantly correlated in EAT, PAT and SAT with high r-values from 0.70 to 0.87. There was a significant correlation between the content of EPA in adipose tissue and in AT from 0.49 to 0.59, with minor/no correlation between contents of DHA in adipose tissue and in AT. Correlations: DHA / EPA SAT PAT EAT AT SAT 1.00 / 1.00 PAT 0.84* / 0.87* 1.00 / 1.00 EAT 0.85* / 0.76* 0.71* / 0.74* 1.00 / 1.00 AT 0.19 / 0.49* 0.36* / 0.58* 0.28 / 0,59* 1.00 / 1.00 * P< 0.05 CONCLUSIONS: The content of EPA and DHA was very similar in EAT, PAT and SAT. There were significant correlations between the content of EPA, but not of DHA, in adipose tissues and in AT. This might be relevant when studying n-3 PUFAs and atrial arrhythmias.