Adipocytes and Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm: Putative Potential Role of Adipocytes in the Process of AAA Development

Background: Adipose tissue plays a role in the storage of excess energy as triglycerides (TGs). Excess fat accumulation causes various metabolic and cardiovascular diseases. It has been reported that ectopic fat deposition and excess TG accumulation in non-adipose tissue might be important predictors of cardiometabolic and vascular risk. For example, ectopic fat in perivascular tissue promotes atherosclerotic plaque formation in the arterial wall. Objective: Recently, it has been reported that ectopic fat (adipocyte) in the vascular wall of an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is present in both human and experimental animal models. The pathological significance of adipocytes in the AAA wall has not been fully understood. In this review, we summarized the functions of adipocytes and discussed potential new drugs that target vascular adipocytes for AAA treatment. Result: Previous studies suggest that adipocytes in vascular wall play an important role in the development of AAA. Conclusion: Adipocytes in the vascular wall could be novel targets for the development of AAA therapeutic drugs.