Circulating Retinoic Acid Levels and the Development of Metabolic Syndrome

In this prospective study, we evaluated the association of retinoic acid (RA) with the metabolic syndrome (MetS) in the Chinese population.

A total of 1042 nondiabetic adults from the population-based Nutrition and Health of Aging Population were prospectively followed up for 4 years. Serum RA concentrations was determined and its relationship with the MetS and its component was investigated.

At baseline, higher RA levels were inversely associated with the presence of MetS (odds ratio 0.61; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.44–0.74, P < .001) after adjustment for age, gender, body mass index, the homeostasis model assessment index for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), and other confounding factors. Subjects with lower RA levels had a progressively worse cardiometabolic risk profile at baseline. Serum RA levels were inversely associated with 8-iso-prostaglandin F2α (P < .001), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (P = .015), and IL-6 (P = .020) and positively correlated with high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (P = .038). Among 825 subjects without MetS at baseline, 146 had developed it at 4 years. Serum RA by quartiles was inversely correlated with the incident MetS (adjusted hazard ratio 0.67; 95% CI 0.48–0.81, P = .006). Apart from HOMA-IR (P < .001), the baseline RA level was the only independent predictor of the development of the MetS during the 4-year follow-up (odds ratio 0.53; 95% CI 0.40–0.69; P < .001) after adjustment for age, gender, body mass index, and HOMA-IR.

The serum RA level is inversely associated with the development of MetS independently of adiposity and insulin resistance.