Communications and Publications

Vol 18 n° 1

eJIFCC 2007,18 (1) Pro-Inflammatory and prothrombotic Factors and Metabolic Syndrome

Grazyna Sypniewska
Department of Laboratory Medicine, Collegium Medicum, Nicolae Copernicus University, Bydgoszcz, Poland

The metabolic syndrome represents combined occurence of atherogenic dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, elevated blood pressure and central adiposity. Pro-inflammatory and prothrombotic state contributing to endothelial dysfunction is a common feature of those with metabolic syndrome. Increasing frequency of abdominal obesity, reaching epidemic proportions, enhances the prevalence of metabolic syndrome. Both, obesity and metabolic syndrome, have the potential to influence on the incidence and severity of cardiovascular disease with serious implications for worldwide health care systems.

Visceral obesity is a key component in the development of the metabolic syndrome. Increased central adiposity, particularly in visceral region, leads to greater free fatty acid flux and inhibition of insulin action. Adipose tissue in obesity is resistant to insulin which is associated with disturbed glucose metabolism in the muscles and liver. Even mild or moderate degree of obesity with concomitant insulin resistance may be associated with metabolic syndrome. On the other hand, excessive accumulation of abdominal fat may lead to the development of metabolic syndrome independently on degree of insulin resistance.