This portrait gives an overview of the many accomplishments and overall contribution of Prof. Yuji Matsuzawa to the field of cardiovascular and obesity research. Prof. Matsuzawa received the Per Björntorp/Jean Vague Lecture Award at the annual meeting of the International Chair on Cardiometabolic Risk held in Budapest, Hungary in 2008. Two of his major contributions are the key role played by intra-abdominal (or visceral) fat in the development of cardiometabolic complications and the discovery of adiponectin. Dr. Philip Barter comments on Prof. Matsuzawa’s discovery of compounds released from adipose tissue and on his work with adiponectin, which has revolutionized the way we see obesity, abdominal obesity, and cardiovascular disease. Dr. Jean-Pierre Després also elaborates on Prof. Matsuzawa’s seminal work using computed tomography as a tool to measure abdominal fat. Dr. Després notes that this work has influenced a generation of scientists, himself included. Furthermore, he adds that Prof. Matsuzawa’s contributions have encompassed not only obesity and metabolism but also cardiovascular medicine. Dr. Ulf Smith concludes by discussing Prof. Matsuzawa’s ability to shed light on the important links between intra-abdominal fat and various complications.
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