ABSTRACT
Metabolic syndrome is a multiplex of the risk factor for the development of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease and it reflects the clustering of multiple risk factors resulting from obesity and insulin resistance. Despite its predominance in obese individuals, MS does occur in non-obese individuals. Many individuals characterized as normal weight as per their body mass index (BMI), have increased visceral adiposity thereby leading to an unfavorable inflammatory cytokine profile and altered PON levels. There are limited studies from India concerning inflammatory cytokines in obesity and MS in general and non-obese patients with MS in particular. MATERIAL: Study Design: An observational cross sectional comparative study was conducted which included 65 patients in each Obese and Non-obese Metabolic Syndrome group. The difference in biomarker profile between the two groups was studied. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patients were subjected to detailed history, physical and anthropometric examination. NCEP-ATP III criteria were used for the diagnosis of Metabolic Syndrome. Patients were considered obese if BMI ≥ 25kg/m2. Normal weight individuals with MS were further subdivided into two groups based on the presence of abdominal obesity (WC cut off 90 cm for men and 80 cm for women). Blood samples were collected for analysis for FBS, Lipid Profile, and HbA1c. Blood samples for biomarker analysis were collected in clotted sample tubes followed by deep freezing and analyzed using ELISA kits. The results were interpreted according to manufacturer guidelines. OBSERVATION: There were no significant differences in IL-6, TNF-α, and PON 1 profiles among Obese and Non-obese Metabolic Syndrome. Moreover significant (p < 0.05) positive correlation was seen in TNF-α levels among patients with abdominal obesity than without abdominal obesity among the Non-obese group. CONCLUSION: TNF-α levels were significantly higher among patients with abdominal obesity than without abdominal obesity among the Non-obese group. There was no significant difference in IL-6, TNF-alpha, and PON 1 among Obese and Non-obese MS. This finding indicates that apart from adipose tissue, other factors are also responsible for the development of MS and its associated proinflammatory profile. There could be a significant contribution of genetic and epigenetic factors which need to be further explored.
