OBJECTIVES: This study was performed to investigate the associations between the metabolic syndrome (MetS) and inflammatory markers. METHODS: This cross-sectional analysis was performed using data from 1578 Koreans aged 40-69 years residing in a rural area. We investigated associations between MetS and circulating high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), white blood cells (WBC) and adiponectin. MetS was defined using the criteria proposed by the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (ATP-III). RESULTS: Increased WBC counts and hs-CRP levels and decreased adiponectin levels were observed in subjects with MetS. WBC, hs-CRP and adiponectin levels linearly deteriorated with an increase in the number of MetS components (all ptrend <0.005). Finally, adjusted odds ratios (ORs) for the risk of MetS by increase/decrease in 3 inflammatory markers were calculated by multivariate logistic regression analyses. In terms of changes in inflammation markers, in men, the adjusted ORs (95% confidence interval) were 1.15 (1.01-1.31) for WBC, 1.64 (1.02-2.64) for hs-CRP, and 0.19 (0.08-0.45) for adiponectin, whereas corresponding adjusted ORs (95% CIs) in women were 1.27 (1.15-1.40), 0.98 (0.67-1.42), 0.09 (0.04-0.18), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Serum adiponectin levels and WBC counts were found to be strongly associated with MetS in both sexes. However, hs-CRP lost its significance after adjusting for BMI and other inflammatory markers in women. This study shows that inflammatory response is associated with MetS in the Korean population. Further prospective studies are necessary to confirm the contribution made by inflammatory markers to the development of MetS.
Adiponectin/blood ; Adult ; Aged ; Biological Markers/blood ; Body Mass Index ; C-Reactive Protein/metabolism ; Female ; Humans ; Inflammation/*blood/complications ; Korea ; Male ; Metabolic Syndrome X/*immunology ; Middle Aged ; Multivariate Analysis ; Rural Population

PURPOSE: In the present study, we tested whether the presence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) would worsen the features of inflammation, plasma omega 3 fatty acid levels and antioxidant potential in treated hypertensive patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two groups were classified by the components of MetS: a reference group of treated hypertensive subjects: hypertension (HTN) group (n = 39) and with more than two additional MetS components: HTN with Mets group (n = 40). We further compared the parameters between HTN group and HTN with MetS group. RESULTS: The results showed that age (p < 0.001) and body mass index (BMI) (p < 0.001) were significantly different between HTN group and HTN with MetS group. Age- and BMI-adjusted total radical trapping antioxidant potential (TRAP) (p < 0.01) was significantly lower, whereas age- and BMI-adjusted CD (p < 0.05) and interleukin (IL) 6 (p < 0.05) were significantly higher in HTN with MetS group than in HTN group. Moreover, HTN with MetS group had significantly lower levels of age- and BMI-adjusted plasma phospholipid eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) than HTN group (p < 0.05). On the other hand, the levels of age- and BMI-adjusted intracellular cell adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), adiponectin and high molecular weight (HMW)-adiponectin were not significantly different between the groups. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, our results showed increased inflammatory marker, reduced antioxidant potential and EPA levels in treated hypertensive patients in the presence of MetS, suggesting the importance of changes of therapeutic lifestyle to modify the features of MetS.
Adiponectin/blood ; Age Factors ; Antihypertensive Agents/therapeutic use ; Antioxidants/*metabolism ; Body Mass Index ; Eicosapentaenoic Acid/*blood ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension/*blood/drug therapy/*immunology ; Inflammation/*immunology ; Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1/blood ; Interleukin-6/blood ; Male ; Metabolic Syndrome X/blood/*complications/immunology ; Middle Aged

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Many patients are diagnosed with cryptogenic hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) without metabolic syndrome (MS). We investigated the risk factors for cryptogenic HCC in patients with a low body mass index (BMI) or without MS. METHODS: Thirty-six patients were diagnosed with cryptogenic HCC over a 10-year period at a tertiary research hospital. Data including BMI score and risk factors for MS were analyzed retrospectively. Patients with fewer than two risk factors for MS (n = 16) were compared with those with two or more risk factors (n = 20). Patients with high BMI (> or = 23 kg/m2, n = 20) were also compared with those with lower BMI (n = 16). RESULTS: Patients with fewer than two risk factors for MS were significantly more likely to smoke and be hepatitis B surface antibodies (anti-HBs)-positive vs. patients with two or more risk factors. However, only smoking was statistically significant on multivariate analysis. Peaks of BMI were observed in two regions. Lower BMI was significantly associated with the presence of anti-HBs compared with high BMI, although this association was not statistically significant on multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Smoking is a potential risk factor for cryptogenic HCC in patients without MS. Remote hepatitis B virus infection may be a risk factor for cryptogenic HCC in patients without MS or with a low BMI.
Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; *Body Mass Index ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/*epidemiology ; Chi-Square Distribution ; Female ; Hepatitis B/diagnosis/epidemiology ; Hepatitis B Antibodies/blood ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens/immunology ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms/*epidemiology ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Metabolic Syndrome X/*epidemiology ; Middle Aged ; Multivariate Analysis ; Odds Ratio ; Republic of Korea/epidemiology ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Assessment ; Risk Factors ; Smoking/adverse effects/epidemiology ; Time Factors