The Study
Differential released proteins between epicardial and subcutaneous fat from patients with cardiovascular disease: role on its progression and semaglutide modulation
This study looked at proteins from fat around the heart and noticed that people with heart problems had different proteins than others. But it didn't test if changing those proteins would change heart health—it just saw a pattern.
Analysis score
Maximum 44 for a cross-sectional study.
Where the score came from
Fat around the heart releases chemicals that signal danger to the body, and these chemicals can predict who might have a heart attack or die from heart disease. A drug called semaglutide changes some of these chemicals.
Where does this study sit?
Reviews of RCTs (Meta-analyses)
Max 100Randomized Trials
Max 90Reviews of Cohort Studies
Max 85Cohort Studies
Max 72Reviews of Case-Control Studies
Max 63Case-Control Studies
Max 58Cross-Sectional & Case Series
Max 50Expert Opinion
Max 524 / 100
Quality score
Snapshots of a population at a single point in time, or descriptions of small groups. Can identify correlations and prevalence, but cannot determine cause and effect.
Key takeaways
Summary
Based on the study abstract and findings.
- 1Yes — these chemicals help identify who is at highest risk for dying or having a heart attack, and semaglutide may reduce that risk by changing them.
- 2Fat around the heart releases more RBP4, ADIPOQ, FABP4, ICAM-1, MPO, CA125, COL4A1, and ANP than belly fat.
- 3High CA125 and ICAM-1 predict heart attacks; high COL4A1 and ANP predict death.
- 4Semaglutide changes CA125 levels and how neutrophils behave.
Score breakdown, methodology, conflicts of interest, evidence analysis & raw study data
Publication
Journal
European Heart Journal
Year
2025
Authors
S. Eiras, B. S. C. David Sanchez Lopez, M. D. David Garcia-Vega, B. S. C. Rumeysa Basdas, B. S. C. Jose Ramon Nunhez Caamanho, B. S. C. Saja Al-Rubaye, M. D. Jose Manuel Martinez Cereijo, M. D. Laura Reija, M. D. Angel Luis Fernandez, M. D. Jose Ramon Gonzalez Juanatey
Related Content
Claims (4)
In patients with cardiovascular disease, semaglutide treatment is linked to changes in the levels of a blood protein called CA125 and alterations in gene activity patterns in neutrophils involving lysosomal transport and macroautophagy.
In people with cardiovascular disease, fat surrounding the heart releases more of five specific signaling molecules than fat under the skin, and these molecules are involved in metabolic and inflammatory processes linked to the disease.
Higher levels of specific proteins—COL4A1 and ANP from fat around the heart, and CA125 and ICAM-1 in the blood—are linked to a higher chance of death or serious heart problems in people with cardiovascular disease.
Epicardial fat releases a different set of proteins than subcutaneous fat, and this difference is linked to the worsening of cardiovascular disease.
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making health decisions.