Molecular mechanisms for vascular injury in the metabolic syndrome

The metabolic syndrome is strongly associated with insulin resistance and has been recognized as a cluster of risk factors for cardiovascular diseases such as visceral obesity, hypertension, diabetes and dyslipidemia. Recently, insulin resistance in the absence of overt diabetes or the metabolic syndrome itself has been shown to be associated with endothelial dysfunction, one of the initial steps in the process of atherosclerosis. In the present article we review the molecular mechanisms by which the metabolic syndrome causes endothelial dysfunction and subsequently promotes atherosclerosis. We also discuss promising therapeutic strategies that specifically target the mechanisms responsible for vascular alterations in the metabolic syndrome.