Uncoupling Protein-1 and Related Messenger Ribonucleic Acids in Human Epicardial and Other Adipose Tissues: Epicardial Fat Functioning as Brown Fat

Abstract

Because UCP-1 is expressed at high levels in epicardial fat as compared to other fat depots, the possibility should be considered that epicardial fat functions like brown fat to defend the myocardium and coronary vessels against hypothermia. This process could be blunted in the elderly.