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Indicators associated with coronary atherosclerosis in metabolic syndrome

Ting-Yu Chiu1, Ching-Yuan Chen, Shan-Yin Chen

  • 1Cardiovascular Research Center, and School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC.

Clinica Chimica Acta; International Journal of Clinical Chemistry
|October 15, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is linked to coronary atherosclerosis (CA) even after accounting for biomarkers. Specific glucose and cholesterol levels in MetS and non-MetS individuals independently predict CA.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Metabolic Disorders
  • Biomarkers

Background:

  • Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a cluster of conditions that increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes.
  • The specific metabolic factors contributing to coronary atherosclerosis (CA) within MetS are not fully understood.
  • Investigating novel atherosclerotic biomarkers alongside traditional metabolic factors is crucial for a comprehensive understanding of CA risk.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the independent association of metabolic syndrome (MetS) with coronary atherosclerosis (CA).
  • To identify specific metabolic factors and novel biomarkers that predict CA in subjects with and without MetS.
  • To explore potential differences in the pathophysiology of CA based on MetS status.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of 550 subjects undergoing coronary computed tomography angiography.
  • Definition of CA based on coronary artery calcification (CAC) scores or noncalcified plaques.
  • Measurement of metabolic factors, high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and adiponectin; MetS diagnosis per NCEP ATP III criteria.

Main Results:

  • Metabolic syndrome (MetS) was significantly associated with coronary atherosclerosis (CA) after adjusting for novel biomarkers (OR, 2.88; P<0.001).
  • In non-MetS subjects, fasting blood glucose ≥ 110 mg/dl or diabetes mellitus was an independent predictor of CA (OR, 1.40; P<0.05).
  • In MetS subjects, a total cholesterol/HDL-C ratio ≥ 4.2 was an independent predictor of CA (OR, 4.44; P<0.001).
  • Both predictors correlated with elevated hs-CRP and reduced adiponectin.

Conclusions:

  • Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is an independent risk factor for coronary atherosclerosis (CA), even when accounting for advanced biomarkers.
  • Specific thresholds for fasting blood glucose/diabetes and cholesterol/HDL-C ratio serve as independent indicators of CA in non-MetS and MetS populations, respectively.
  • These findings suggest distinct pathophysiological pathways for CA in individuals with and without metabolic syndrome.
Abstract

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