Epicardial adipose tissue in diabetic myocardial disorder: Role of echocardiography

Table 1 Role of epicardial adipose tissue

Physiologic	Pathophysiologic
Thermogenic brown fat-like function	Endocrine, paracrine, and vasocrine secretion of proinflammatory and profibrotic cytokines
Protective (e.g., mechanical protection in the case of physical trauma)	Local inflammation, disrupted adipogenesis
Source of energy in case of metabolic demand	Acceleration of atherosclerosis
Storage compartment providing the myocardium with free fatty acids	Decreased insulin sensitivity of the adipocytes
Buffer preventing excess fatty acid influx	Ventricular dysfunction (Diabetic pericardial disorder)