Long-term consumption of an obesogenic high fat diet prior to ischemia-reperfusion mediates cardioprotection via Epac1-dependent signaling.

Background: Obesity is still considered a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, although more recent knowledge also suggests obesity to be associated with reduced morbidity and mortality - the "obesity paradox". This study explores if long-term feeding of an obesogenic high fat diet renders the myocardium less susceptible to ischemic-reperfusion induced injury via Epac-dependent signaling.

Methods: Wild type (wt), Epac1 (Epac1) and Epac2 (Epac2) deficient mice were fed a high fat (HFD) or normal chow diet (ND) for 33 ± 1 weeks.