Biomarkers of the pathogenesis of metabolic syndrome

ABSTRACT

To investigate the association between oxidant/anti-oxidant balance [MDA and paraoxonase] with the degree of severity of metabolic syndrome [MS] that was measured by the pro/anti-inflammatory markers [TNF-alpha and adiponectin] and other clinical and biochemical criteria to find biomarkers identifying patients at risk for cardiovascular disease [CVD]. The study included eighty patients [20 obese diabetics, 20 non-obese diabetics. 20 obese non-diabetics and 20 controls]. Serum levels of adiponectin and TNF-allpha, were analyzed by ELIZA. MDA and paraoxonase activity [PON] were determined by colorimetric method in all patients with or without MS. The international Diabetes Federation [IDF] proposal identified a greater percentage of MS. The highest prevalence was found in females. Serum levels of adiponectin and paraoxonase activity were significantly decreased but serum levels of TNF-alpha and MDA were significantly increased in MS subjects. There was an inverse correlation between number of features of metabolic syndrome [BMI, waist circumference, fasting plasma glucose, fasting insulin, insulin resistance, blood pressure, TGs and LDL] and protective markers [serum adiponectin and paraxonase levels]. Positive correlation existed with serum TNF-alpha and MDA levels. Metabolic syndrome patients had a higher accumulate [from 3/25 to 9/25 to 13/25]. Triglycerides and TG/HDL-C ratio were significantly positively correlated with TNF-alpha and negatively correlated with adiponectin. Hypoadiponectemia and decreased paraoxonase are associated with higher degree of metabolic alterations of MS. These could be contributing factors to the increased incidence and severity of CVD. These markers levels were significantly changed before accumulation of metabolic criteria indicating their role in production of metabolic syndrome