Relation of plasma fatty acid binding proteins 4 and 5 with the metabolic syndrome, inflammation and coronary calcium in patients with type-2 diabetes mellitus

Fatty acid-binding proteins (FABPs) 4 and 5 play coordinated roles in rodent models of inflammation, insulin resistance, and atherosclerosis, but little is known of their role in human disease. The aim of this study was to examine the hypothesis that plasma adipocyte and macrophage FABP4 and FABP5 levels would provide additive value in the association with metabolic and inflammatory risk factors for cardiovascular disease as well as subclinical atherosclerosis. Using the Penn Diabetes Heart Study (PDHS; n = 806), cross-sectional analysis of FABP4 and FABP5 levels with metabolic and inflammatory parameters and with coronary artery calcium, a measure of subclinical coronary atherosclerosis, was performed. FABP4 and FABP5 levels had strong independent associations with the metabolic syndrome (for a 1-SD change in FABP levels, odds ratio [OR] 1.85, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.43 to 2.23, and OR 1.66, 95% CI 1.41 to 1.95, respectively) but had differential associations with metabolic syndrome components. FABP4 and FABP5 were also independently associated with C-reactive protein and interleukin-6 levels. FABP4 (OR 1.26, 95% CI 1.05 to 1.52) but not FABP5 (OR 1.13, 95% CI 0.97 to 1.32) was associated with the presence of coronary artery calcium. An integrated score combining FABP4 and FABP5 quartile data had even stronger associations with the metabolic syndrome, C-reactive protein, interleukin-6, and coronary artery calcium compared to either FABP alone. In conclusion, this study provides evidence for an additive relation of FABP4 and FABP5 with the metabolic syndrome, inflammatory cardiovascular disease risk factors, and coronary atherosclerosis in type 2 diabetes mellitus. These findings suggest that FABP4 and FABP5 may represent mediators of and biomarkers for metabolic and cardiovascular disease in type 2 diabetes mellitus.     

Preventing diabetes and atherosclerosis in sub-Saharan Africa: Should the metabolic syndrome have a role?

Obesity, hypertension, atherosclerosis, and type 2 diabetes mellitus are increasing in all regions of sub-Saharan Africa. The metabolic syndrome is a valuable tool in predicting atherosclerosis and type 2 diabetes in populations in Europe and North America. However, the applicability of the metabolic syndrome to African populations has not been studied. Prior to investing scarce funds into diagnosing and treating the metabolic syndrome, primary research needs to be designed to determine the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome and its ability to detect early, treatable disease in Africa. Assessment of these data should make it possible to determine if it is more effective to focus on the metabolic syndrome as a whole or on obesity, hypertension, atherosclerosis, and type 2 diabetes as individual conditions. This article is an overview of the presentation of metabolic syndrome variables in the Eastern, Western, and Southern regions of sub-Saharan Africa.     

Role of atherosclerosis assessment and other novel markers in the metabolic syndrome

The metabolic syndrome is a constellation of cardiovascular disease risk factors predisposing to future cardiovascular disease events as well as the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus. This syndrome is closely linked to both subclinical atherosclerosis and vascular inflammation. The extent of vascular inflammation can be estimated by a number of biomarkers, such as high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, that are associated with the presence of the metabolic syndrome. Evaluating for the presence of subclinical atherosclerosis and inflammatory biomarkers may help to risk stratify patients with the metabolic syndrome.     

Metabolic syndrome X: An inflammatory condition?

Obesity, atherosclerosis, insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia, hyperlipidemia, essential hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and coronary heart disease (CHD) are the components of metabolic syndrome X and are associated with elevated plasma levels of C-reactive protein, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α, which are markers of inflammation. This suggests that metabolic syndrome X is a low-grade, systemic, inflammatory condition. Hence, instituting anti-inflammatory measures might be beneficial in preventing or halting the progress of metabolic syndrome X in high-risk populations.     

Adipocyte/macrophage fatty acid binding proteins in metabolic syndrome

The link between inflammation and the development of insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, and atherosclerosis has been uncovered in the past decade. Although the molecular mechanisms underlying the co-occurrence of these metabolic and inflammatory diseases are not fully understood, several molecular players, integrating stress and inflammatory responses with metabolic homeostasis, were discovered recently. One of these molecular integration sites is through the action of cytosolic lipid chaperones or fatty acid binding proteins (FABPs), which are common to adipocytes and macrophages. Furthermore, studies in a variety of genetic models demonstrated that the FABPs aP2 and mal1 are critical mediators of many components of metabolic syndrome in mice. These exciting findings raise the possibility that FABPs represent desirable therapeutic targets for metabolic syndrome. In this review, we describe the findings demonstrating FABP’s role in metabolic and inflammatory diseases and highlight recent advances in understanding the mechanisms of FABP function at the cellular and molecular level.     

Hypoglycemic pharmacological treatment of type 2 diabetes: Targeting the endothelium

Cardiovascular disease is by far the most common complication of type 2 diabetes and also the most serious one. Suffering from type 2 diabetes mellitus not only dramatically increases the risk of cardiovascular disease but is also associated with poor survival, both acutely and in the long term after a myocardial infarction. In fact, total mortality from coronary artery disease in subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus, without a previous myocardial infarction, is as high as that of non-diabetic individuals with a previous infarction. Intense research efforts have thus been directed towards exploring the reasons for why particularly type 2 diabetic patients have such a poor prognosis suffering from cardiovascular disease. Obesity-related type 2 diabetes (“diabesity”), including the metabolic syndrome, is rapidly rising in prevalence. About 80% of all type 2 diabetes co-exists with insulin resistance. Endothelial dysfunction is a ubiquitous abnormality in insulin-resistant states that might contribute to premature atherosclerosis in a multifactorial and complex way. Low grade inflammation may play a role in development insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes and it has been proposed that atherosclerosis is basically an inflammatory disease. Thus, the pathophysiology of insulin resistance, the metabolic syndrome, and atherosclerosis may share inflammatory basis as a common denominator. Also, insulin resistance is not confined to skeletal muscle, adipose tissue and the liver, but also to the endothelium. Insulin resistance and endothelial dysfunction co-exist, where chronic inflammation may be a crucial factor. Accordingly, the possibility that physical activity or pharmacological agents that increase insulin sensitivity also improve endothelial function, or vice versa, has been investigated. Many different alterations in life style and drugs that improve endothelial function are known to lower the risk of contracting diabetes. In this review, the pharmacological treatment available against type 2 diabetes mellitus is discussed with particular emphasis on its impact on the endothelium.     

非酒精性脂肪性肝病与动脉粥样硬化之间关系的研究进展

非酒精性脂肪性肝病( NAFLD)常与肥胖、糖尿病、高血脂、高血压以及代谢综合征合并存在,认为是代谢综合征的肝脏表现。NAFLD的患病率约20％～30％,在2型糖尿病人群中NAFLD患病率更高。NAFLD与心血管疾病(CVD)关系密切,NAFLD患者的主要死亡原因是CVD。NAFLD和动脉粥样硬化(AS)关系密切,其机制可能涉及氧化应激、炎症反应、脂代谢紊乱、脂肪激素水平的变化和胰岛素抵抗等方面。本文就NAFLD和AS间的关系以及可能机制进行综述。     

Treating the metabolic syndrome: telmisartan as a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma activator

Hypertension commonly occurs as part of a genetically complex disorder of carbohydrate and lipid metabolism known as the metabolic syndrome. Most current antihypertensive drugs appear ineffective against the metabolic syndrome, which is a strong predictor of cardiovascular disease and death in affected patients. Angiotensin II can influence the activity of certain genes and cellular and biochemical pathways that may contribute to the pathogenesis of the metabolic syndrome. However, as a class, angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) have proven only minimally to modestly effective in ameliorating the disturbances in carbohydrate and lipid metabolism that characterise the metabolic syndrome. Recent preclinical studies indicate that the ARB telmisartan acts as a selective peroxisome proliferators-activated receptor-gamma (PPARgamma) modulator when tested at concentrations that might be achievable with oral doses recommended for treatment of hypertension; this property does not appear to be shared by other ARBs. PPARgamma is a nuclear receptor that influences the expression of multiple genes involved in carbohydrate and lipid metabolism and is an attractive therapeutic target for the prevention and control of insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes and atherosclerosis. In cellular transactivation assays, telmisartan functioned as a partial agonist of PPARgamma and achieved 25-30% of maximal receptor activation attained with conventional PPARgamma ligands. Preclinical and clinical studies indicate that administration of telmisartan can improve carbohydrate and lipid metabolism without causing the side effects that accompany full PPARgamma activators. If the preliminary data are supported by the results of ongoing large-scale clinical studies, telmisartan could have a central role in the prevention and treatment of metabolic syndrome, diabetes and atherosclerosis.     

Metabolic syndrome and NASH

Clinical and epidemiologic studies have associated non-alcoholic fatty liver with the metabolic syndrome, with insulin resistance as the pivotal pathogenic factor. Obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, and hypertension contribute to risk for liver disease and to disease progression. The presence of multiple metabolic abnormalities is associated with the severity of liver disease. Patients have a high risk for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, mediated by early atherosclerosis. This evidence has precise therapeutic implications: only a behavioral approach to lifestyle correction will address all alterations characterizing the metabolic syndrome, including metabolic liver disease.     

Long-term risk of diabetes, hypertension and left ventricular hypertrophy associated with the metabolic syndrome in a general population

OBJECTIVES: Metabolic syndrome is accompanied by an increased risk of developing diabetes mellitus. Limited or no evidence exists on whether and to what extent metabolic syndrome increases the risk of developing office hypertension, daily-life hypertension and left ventricular hypertrophy. METHODS: In 1412 individuals representative of the population of Monza, plasma glucose, office, home and ambulatory blood pressure, and echocardiographic left ventricular mass index were measured between 1990 and 1992 and 10 years later. New onset diabetes mellitus, new onset office, home and ambulatory hypertension as well as new onset left ventricular hypertrophy were assessed in individuals with and without metabolic syndrome (Adult Treatment Panel criteria) at the first examination. RESULTS: New onset diabetes mellitus, hypertension and left ventricular hypertrophy were all much more frequent in individuals with metabolic syndrome than in those without. In patients with metabolic syndrome, the adjusted risk of new onset diabetes mellitus was five to six times greater (P < 0.001), that of new onset office, home or ambulatory hypertension 3.5, 2.9 and 3.2 times greater (P < 0.001), respectively, and that of new onset left ventricular hypertrophy 2.6 times greater (P < 0.001). The most important predictors of new onset diabetes mellitus, hypertension and left ventricular hypertrophy were the baseline blood glucose, blood pressure and left ventricular mass index, respectively, with an independent contribution, in each condition, from other metabolic syndrome components. The metabolic syndrome as such did not have an additional predictive value. CONCLUSION: In the general population, metabolic syndrome is associated with a marked increase in the risk not only of new onset diabetes mellitus but also of new onset office and daily-life hypertension, and left ventricular hypertrophy. This may account for the increased rate of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality exhibited with this condition in long-term studies.     

Metabolic syndrome: a closer look at the growing epidemic and its associated pathologies

Obesity is reaching epidemic proportions with recent worldwide figures estimated at 1.4 billion and rising year‐on‐year. Obesity affects all socioeconomic backgrounds and ethnicities and is a pre‐requisite for metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome is a clustering of risk factors, such as central obesity, insulin resistance, dyslipidaemia and hypertension that together culminate in the increased risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease. As these conditions are among the leading causes of deaths worldwide and metabolic syndrome increases the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus fivefold and cardiovascular disease threefold, it is of critical importance that a precise definition is agreed upon by all interested parties. Also of particular interest is the relationship between metabolic syndrome and cancer. Metabolic syndrome has been associated with a plethora of cancers including breast, pancreatic, colon and liver cancer. Furthermore, each individual risk factor for metabolic syndrome has also an association with cancer. Our review collates internationally generated information on metabolic syndrome, its many definitions and its associations with life‐threatening conditions including type 2 diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease and cancer, providing a foundation for future advancements on this topic.     

Toll样受体4与代谢综合征

Toll样受体(TLR)4属于模式识别受体,是联系天然免疫和获得性免疫的桥梁.代谢综合征患者体内存在多种代谢紊乱.游离脂肪酸(FFA)、高血糖等可激活人体内的TLR4信号通路,使炎性细胞因子分泌增多,诱发胰岛素抵抗和胰岛β细胞凋亡、血管腔狭窄、血管功能紊乱,促进2型糖尿病、高血压和动脉粥样硬化等代谢综合征相关疾病的发生、发展.对TLR4信号通路进行调控有可能起到防治代谢综合征及其相关疾病的作用.     

Genetic determinants of the metabolic syndrome

Complex interactions between inherited factors and the environment determine an individual’s susceptibility to type 2 diabetes mellitus and related syndromes. Insulin resistance, obesity, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia frequently precede the development of frank diabetes and aggregate in families. Several genome-wide scans have recently been performed in families with this constellation of findings, called the “metabolic syndrome.” These analyses strongly support an inherited component to the syndrome. In this review, we provide an overview of the evidence in support of an inherited contribution to the metabolic syndrome and the search for causative genomic regions. When multiple genome scans involving different patient cohorts implicate a common genomic region as susceptible to the metabolic syndrome, it is highly likely that causative genes reside in that area. Identification of these genes will dramatically improve our understanding of the mechanisms that underlie the metabolic syndrome, and could lead to novel treatment strategies. It is hoped that these therapies will also prevent the future development of type 2 diabetes mellitus and atherosclerotic complications, both common among individuals affected by the metabolic syndrome.     

Impaired Glucose Tolerance

Impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) is determined by measuring plasma glucose levels 2 hours after glucose loading in the oral glucose tolerance test. There is good evidence from epidemiologic and prospective trials [e.g. Diabetes Epidemiology: Collaborative Analysis of Diagnostic Criteria in Europe (DECODE)] linking IGT with the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease (CVD). IGT is characterized by an increase in postprandial glucose levels, which is considered the earliest metabolic abnormality in type 2 diabetes mellitus. It is one of a series of risk factors for CVD (hypertension, high triglyceride levels, low high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol and central obesity), known as the metabolic syndrome. The different factors making up this syndrome are intimately related. An impaired lipid profile can contribute to insulin resistance, as IGT may play a pathogenic role on other cardiovascular risk factors. IGT is the first easily identifiable step in the pathophysiology of type 2 diabetes mellitus. It is associated with high risk for type 2 diabetes mellitus and subsequent vascular morbidity and mortality. It is currently unknown whether treating IGT will reduce the incidence of macrovascular complications, as studies addressing this issue have yet to be conducted. Therefore, the main reason to identify and treat IGT is to prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes mellitus. It has been demonstrated that lifestyle intervention with diet and exercise can reduce the incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Pharmacologic intervention with metformin and acarbose is also effective. Other drugs, such as those indicated to treat other parameters of the metabolic syndrome, may also be useful. We can now be assured that prevention or delay of onset of type 2 diabetes mellitus is possible in individuals with IGT, either by changes in lifestyle or by pharmacotherapy.     

老年代谢综合征患病情况及特点

目的　 调查老年干部代谢综合征的患病情况及特点。　 方法　通过体检的方法 ,测定血糖、血脂、血压、心电图、身高、体重、腰围、臀围、眼底等 ,并详细对受检人员询问病史。　 结果 　 1615名老年干部中发现代谢综合征 198例 ,发生率为 12 2 6% ;10 0 4名中年干部中发现 65例 ,发生率仅为 6 47% (P <0 0 1)。老年干部糖尿病、高血压的发生率分别为 2 1 67%、5 7 71% ,较中年干部的发生率 13 5 5 %、2 9 5 8%有明显增高 (P <0 0 1)。老年代谢综合征者冠心病、腹型肥胖、眼底动脉硬化的发生率分别为 5 4 0 4%、63 64%和 40 91% ;而非老年代谢综合征者为 2 6 15 %、44 61%和 2 9 2 3% ,明显低于老年代谢综合征者 (P <0 0 1)。　 结论　老年代谢综合征发病率较高 ,其主要原因是糖尿病和高血压的高发病率。老年代谢综合征伴有高冠心病、动脉硬化发病率 ,是威胁老年人身体健康的主要疾病     

代谢综合征与冠心病

代谢综合征已成为新世纪,继高血压、糖尿病、肥胖和血脂异常等疾病之后的又一慢性流行性疾病。代谢综合征的成分如肥胖、2型糖尿病、致粥样硬化血脂表型与高血压是冠心病重要的独立危险因素,每一个成分都可直接促进动脉粥样硬化发生。由于代谢综合征是这些独立危险因素的聚集,因此代谢综合征伴有更大比例、更大程度和病变更广泛的冠心病发病率及病死率。但代谢综合征所有组分对心血管危险的确切影响还需进行更深入的研究,今后代谢综合征的研究和防治还需多个学科和专业人才的合理整合。     

Pharmacological treatment of diabetic patients with respect to prevention of macrovascular disease

Prevention of atherosclerosis in type 2 diabetes ideally should start a long time before the diagnosis of diabetes since type 2 diabetes and atherosclerosis have a common background of metabolic syndrome. Identifying subjects with metabolic syndrome and beginning with lifestyle and drug interventions in such subjects would most probably delay the development of both diabetes and atherosclerosis. After the clinical diagnosis of diabetes, it is necessary to continue with multifactorial interventions targeted on risk factors, such as hyperglycaemia, dyslipidaemia and hypertension. Some interventions appear to have a benefit beyond the effect on risk factors. Effects of these interventions can be explained by their influence on some pathogenic mechanisms, such as insulin resistance and endothelial dysfunction. Multifactorial interventions decrease the incidence of macrovascular disease in diabetes at least by one-half and should be routinely used in the majority of patients with type 2 diabetes.     

Sucrose induces fatty liver and pancreatic inflammation in male breeder rats independent of excess energy intake

Fructose induces metabolic syndrome in rats; but studies have been criticized for using high concentrations of fructose that are not physiologic, for using only pure fructose, and for not controlling for energy intake. We tested the hypothesis that a 40% sucrose diet (containing 20% fructose) might induce features of metabolic syndrome in male breeder rats independent of excess energy intake. Male Sprague-Dawley breeder rats were pair fed 40% sucrose or isocaloric starch diet for 4 months and evaluated for metabolic syndrome and diabetes. In vitro studies were performed in rat insulinoma cells (RIN-m5F) exposed to uric acid, and markers of inflammation were assessed. Rats fed a 40% sucrose diet developed accelerated features of metabolic syndrome with up-regulation of fructose-dependent transporter Glut5 and fructokinase. Fatty liver and low-grade pancreatic inflammation also occurred. Uric acid was found to stimulate inflammatory mediators and oxidative stress in islet cells in vitro. Sucrose, at concentrations ingested by a subset of Americans, can accelerate metabolic syndrome, fatty liver, and type 2 diabetes mellitus in male breeder rats; and the effects are independent of excess energy intake.     

Endothelial dysfunction and the metabolic syndrome

The metabolic syndrome is a highly prevalent multifaceted clinical entity produced through the interaction of genetic, hormonal, and lifestyle factors. A distinctive constellation of abnormalities precedes and predicts the accelerated development of atherogenesis and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Abnormalities of inflammation and coagulation represent emerging risk contributors associated with obesity and insulin resistance, central components of the metabolic syndrome, which act in concert with traditional abnormalities to increase cardiovascular risk. The initiation and progression of atherosclerosis may have its origins in impaired endothelial function that can be detected at the earliest stages of development of the syndrome. The basic elements of the metabolic syndrome and accelerated phase of atherogenesis are often silent partners that present many years before the onset of type 2 diabetes mellitus. The ability to detect and monitor subclinical vascular disease, as a reflection of the multiple factors that contribute to impair arterial wall integrity, holds potential to further refine cardiovascular risk stratification. Noninvasive assessment of vascular health may also aid the clinical decision-making process by guiding therapeutic interventions to optimize vascular protection in the metabolic syndrome.