PURPOSE: An unresolved inflammatory state contributes to the pathogenesis of periodontal disease and metabolic syndrome (MetS). Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the role of lipoxin A4 (LXA4), a proresolving lipid mediator, in the association between periodontal disease and MetS. METHODS: Sixty-seven patients with MetS and 65 patients without MetS were included in the study. Sociodemographic information was obtained via a questionnaire, and detailed medical diagnoses were made. Periodontal parameters (plaque index [PI], gingival index [GI], probing pocket depth [PD], and clinical attachment level [CAL]) and metabolic parameters were measured, and serum LXA4 levels were determined. The associations among MetS, periodontal parameters, and serum LX levels were evaluated by adjusted multivariate linear regression analyses. RESULTS: Patients with MetS were older and had a higher body mass index than patients without MetS. Periodontal parameters (PI, GI, PD, and CAL) were higher in patients with MetS than in those without MetS. Serum LXA4 levels were higher in patients without MetS. Multivariate linear regression analysis indicated a positive association between MetS and periodontal parameters (PD and CAL). Negative associations were established between MetS and LXA4 levels, and between LXA4 and periodontal parameters (PI, PD, and CAL). CONCLUSIONS: The presence of higher values of periodontal parameters in patients with MetS and the negative relationship of LXA4 with MetS and periodontal disease may support the protective role of proresolving lipid mediators in the association between periodontal disease and MetS.
Body Mass Index ; Diagnosis ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Linear Models ; Lipoxins ; Metabolic Syndrome X ; Periodontal Diseases ; Periodontal Index

PURPOSE: Metabolic syndrome is an important cluster of coronary heart disease risk factors. However, it remains unclear to what extent metabolic syndrome is associated with demographic and potentially modifiable lifestyle factors among Korean persons with physical disabilities. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and influencing factors of metabolic syndrome among persons with physical disabilities using the Korean National Health Insurance Service—National Sample Cohort. METHODS: The Adult Treatment Panel III criteria were used to define metabolic syndrome influencing factors and prevalence, which were evaluated in a representative sample from the 2013 Korean National Health Insurance Service—National Sample Cohort database. Characteristics were compared based on frequency using the χ2 test. The associations between metabolic syndrome and its risk factors were estimated using logistic multivariable regression analysis. RESULTS: Metabolic syndrome was detected in 31.5% of the surveyed persons with physical disabilities. Female sex, age of ≥65 years, smoking, greater alcohol consumption, physical inactivity, higher body mass index, and a family history of diabetes were associated with increased risks of metabolic syndrome. CONCLUSION: The major risk factors for metabolic syndrome among persons with physical disabilities were obesity and older age. Performing physical activity was associated with a lower risk of metabolic syndrome. Therefore, we recommend using a continuous obesity management program and physical activity to prevent metabolic syndrome among persons with physical disabilities.
Adult ; Alcohol Drinking ; Body Mass Index ; Cohort Studies ; Coronary Disease ; Disabled Persons ; Female ; Humans ; Life Style ; Metabolic Syndrome X ; Motor Activity ; National Health Programs ; Obesity ; Prevalence* ; Risk Factors ; Smoke ; Smoking

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: A relationship between renin-angiotensin system (RAS) components and metabolic syndrome (MetS) has been suggested, but not elucidated clearly. We examined the levels of RAS components in patients with and without MetS and their association with MetS in Korean population. METHODS: This study was approved by the review boards of the participating institutions and endorsed by the Korean Society of Lipid and Atherosclerosis. We screened 892 Koreans aged ≥20 years who underwent evaluation of hypertension, diabetes, or dyslipidemia at 6 tertiary hospitals in 2015–2016. After excluding patients who were taking diuretics, β-blockers, or RAS blockers, or suspected of primary aldosteronism, 829 individuals were enrolled. Anthropometric and biochemical parameters including aldosterone, plasma renin activity (PRA), and aldosterone-to-PRA ratio were evaluated. The homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) were used for evaluating insulin resistance. RESULTS: The mean age of the participants was 52.8±12.8 years, 56.3% were male, and their mean systolic and diastolic blood pressures were 133.9±20.0 and 81.2±14.6 mmHg, respectively. The levels of serum aldosterone, but not PRA, were significantly higher in subjects with MetS than in those without (20.6±33.6 vs. 15.3±12.2 ng/dL, p < 0.05), and positively correlated with waist circumference, blood pressure, triglycerides, and glycated hemoglobin. The levels of aldosterone were independently associated with the number of MetS components and HOMA-IR after adjusting for conventional risk factors. CONCLUSIONS: Serum aldosterone levels were higher in Korean adults with MetS than in those without. This finding suggests that increased aldosterone level might be closely associated with insulin resistance.
Adult ; Aldosterone ; Atherosclerosis ; Blood Pressure ; Diuretics ; Dyslipidemias ; Hemoglobin A, Glycosylated ; Homeostasis ; Humans ; Hyperaldosteronism ; Hypertension ; Insulin Resistance ; Insulin ; Male ; Metabolic Syndrome X ; Plasma ; Renin ; Renin-Angiotensin System ; Risk Factors ; Tertiary Care Centers ; Triglycerides ; Waist Circumference

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common life-threatening cancers worldwide. Recently, many patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) have progressed to HCC even in the absence of cirrhosis. As the morbidity of metabolic syndrome increases, the proportion of HCC associated with NAFLD is expected to increase gradually. A new mechanism for the development of HCC in NAFLD has been identified; Diabetes mellitus, insulin resistance, obesity, lipotoxicity, gut dysbiosis are risk factors. Inflammatory cytokines such as adipokines, leptin, tumor necrosis factor-α, interlukin-8, nuclear factor-κB constitute dysplasia-carcinoma sequence. At the time of diagnosis, NAFLD/NASH related HCC tend to progress to larger and in advanced tumor-node-metastasis stages compared to viral hepatitis related HCC. But there are no guidelines for early detection of NAFLD-related HCC. So, it is essential to study the screening program for the early detection of NAFLD-related HCC and precise methods for NAFLD.
Adipokines ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular* ; Cytokines ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Diagnosis ; Dysbiosis ; Fatty Liver ; Fibrosis ; Hepatitis ; Humans ; Insulin Resistance ; Leptin ; Mass Screening ; Metabolic Syndrome X ; Necrosis ; Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease* ; Obesity ; Risk Factors

PURPOSE: This study investigated gender differences in the relationship between long working hours and metabolic syndrome. METHODS: Data based on the Sixth National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2014) pertaining to a total of 1,145 paid workers were analyzed. Working hours were divided into three groups (40–51 hours/week, 52–59 hours/week, ≥ 60 hours/week). The relationship between working hours and metabolic syndrome was then analyzed after adjusting for general and occupational characteristics, using a multiple logistic regression model. RESULTS: Working 40–51 hours per week was associated with the lowest metabolic syndrome among female workers (11.2%), whereas it was associated with the highest metabolic syndrome among male workers (28.0%). After adjusting for general and occupational characteristics, female workers working ≥ 60 hours per week showed odds ratios of 2.21 [95% confidence interval (1.07, 4.57)], compared to those who worked 40–51 hours per week. However, no clear association between long working hours and metabolic syndrome was found among male workers. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that working long hours, especially≥ 60 hours per week, is related to metabolic syndrome among female Korean workers.
Employment ; Female ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Metabolic Syndrome X ; Nutrition Surveys ; Odds Ratio

The association between vitamin D levels and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has been recognized. However, few studies showed independent associations between vitamin D deficiency and NAFLD after a sex-related adjustment for metabolic factors. We aimed to study whether vitamin D deficiency is an independent risk factor of NAFLD even after controlling for metabolic syndrome and visceral fat in both sexes. In this cross-sectional study, 7,514 Korean adults (5,278 men, 2,236 women) participated in a health check-up program. They underwent blood tests, abdominal computed tomography (CT) of the visceral fat area, and ultrasonography for NAFLD screening. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to investigate the association of vitamin D deficiency with NAFLD according to the sex differences. Vitamin D deficiency is associated with NAFLD. The adjusted odds ratio (aOR) for NAFLD increased sequentially with decreasing vitamin D level, even after adjusting for metabolic syndrome and visceral fat. The subjects in the vitamin D sufficiency group (20–30 ng/mL) had an aOR for NAFLD of 1.18 (95% CI, 1.00–1.39), whereas the deficiency group (< 20 ng/mL) had an aOR of 1.29 (95% CI, 1.10–1.52). However, we have detected a significant sex-related interaction when analyzing the results. A significant relationship between vitamin D deficiency and NAFLD was found in men (aOR, 1.33; 95% CI, 1.11–1.60) but not in women.
Adult ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Hematologic Tests ; Humans ; Intra-Abdominal Fat ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Mass Screening ; Metabolic Syndrome X ; Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease* ; Odds Ratio ; Risk Factors* ; Sex Characteristics ; Ultrasonography ; Vitamin D Deficiency ; Vitamin D* ; Vitamins*

PURPOSE: Elevation in serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels is a biomarker for metabolic syndrome (MS); however, the relationship has not been fully investigated within the reference interval of ALT levels. Our objective was to explore the relationship between serum ALT levels within the reference interval and MS in Chinese adults. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 16028 adults, who attended routine health check-ups at Shengli Oilfield Central Hospital from January 2006 to March 2012. The reference interval of serum ALT level was defined as less than 40 U/L. Logistic regression models and restricted cubic spline were used to evaluate the association of ALT with MS. RESULTS: The prevalence of MS in the total population was 13.7% (6.4% for females and 18.4% for males). Multiple logistic regression showed that ALT levels were positively associated with MS after adjustment for potential confounding factors. The odds ratio of MS in the top quartile was 4.830 [95% confidence interval (CI): 2.980–7.829] in females and 3.168 (95% CI: 2.649–3.790) in males, compared with the ALT levels in the bottom quartile. The restricted cubic spline models revealed a positive non-linear dose-response relationship between ALT levels and the risk of MS in women (p for nonlinearity was 0.0327), but a positive linear dose-response relationship in men (p for nonlinearity was 0.0659). CONCLUSION: Serum ALT levels within the reference interval are positively associated with MS in a dose-response manner. Elevated ALT levels, even within the reference interval, may reflect early dysmetabolic changes.
Adult ; Aged ; Alanine Transaminase/*blood ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Biomarkers/blood ; Confidence Intervals ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Female ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Metabolic Syndrome X/*enzymology/epidemiology ; Middle Aged ; Odds Ratio ; Prevalence ; Reference Values

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) has risen rapidly worldwide, including in South Korea. Factors related to lifestyle are closely associated with the development of MetS. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between MetS and a number of factors positively influencing health, namely non-smoking, low-risk drinking, sufficient sleep, regular exercise, and the habit of reading food labels, among Korean men. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 3,869 men from the 2007–2009 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Information on five factors positively influencing their health was obtained using a self-reported questionnaire. We categorized subjects into four groups, depending on the number of positive factors reported (group I, 0–1 factor; group II, 2 factors; group III, 3 factors; group IV, 4–5 factors). RESULTS: Men who reported a greater number of positive health factors had better laboratory and anthropometric values than men who reported fewer positive health factors. The prevalence of MetS was 29.1, 27.2, 20.7, and 14.6% in groups I to IV, respectively. Compared to group I, odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) for MetS were 0.96 (0.78–1.19) in group II, 0.67 (0.52–0.87) in group III, and 0.52 (0.35–0.76) in group IV, after adjusting for confounding factors. Odds ratios for abdominal obesity, glucose intolerance, and hypertriglyceridemia were statistically significant. CONCLUSION: A greater number of positive lifestyle factors influencing health were associated with a lower risk of developing MetS, in a nationally representative sample of Korean men.
Alcohol Drinking ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Drinking ; Glucose Intolerance ; Humans ; Hypertriglyceridemia ; Korea ; Life Style ; Male ; Metabolic Syndrome X ; Nutrition Surveys* ; Obesity, Abdominal ; Odds Ratio ; Prevalence ; Smoking

The number of childhood cancer survivors is increasing as survival rates improve. However, complications after treatment have not received much attention, particularly metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome comprises central obesity, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and insulin resistance, and cancer survivors have higher risks of cardiovascular events compared with the general population. The mechanism by which cancer treatment induces metabolic syndrome is unclear. However, its pathophysiology can be categorized based on the cancer treatment type administered. Brain surgery or radiotherapy may induce metabolic syndrome by damaging the hypothalamic-pituitary axis, which may induce pituitary hormone deficiencies. Local therapy administered to particular endocrine organs directly damages the organs and causes hormone deficiencies, which induce obesity and dyslipidemia leading to metabolic syndrome. Chemotherapeutic agents interfere with cell generation and growth, damage the vascular endothelial cells, and increase the cardiovascular risk. Moreover, chemotherapeutic agents induce oxidative stress, which also induces metabolic syndrome. Physical inactivity caused by cancer treatment or the cancer itself, dietary restrictions, and the frequent use of antibiotics may also be risk factors for metabolic syndrome. Since childhood cancer survivors with metabolic syndrome have higher risks of cardiovascular events at an earlier age, early interventions should be considered. The optimal timing of interventions and drug use has not been established, but lifestyle modifications and exercise interventions that begin during cancer treatment might be beneficial and tailored education and interventions that account for individual patients' circumstances are needed. This review evaluates the recent literature that describes metabolic syndrome in cancer survivors, with a focus on its pathophysiology.
Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Antineoplastic Protocols ; Brain ; Dyslipidemias ; Early Intervention (Education) ; Education ; Endothelial Cells ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Insulin Resistance ; Life Style ; Metabolic Syndrome X ; Obesity ; Obesity, Abdominal ; Oxidative Stress ; Radiotherapy ; Risk Factors ; Survival Rate ; Survivors*

Recently, the incidence of thyroid nodule has been rising due to the usage of ultrasonography in health check-up. Also, modern society is faced with increasing rates of obesity by sedentary life style and high caloric intake. Obesity is closely related to metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance. Insulin resistance leads to hyperinsulinemia, increased insulin-like growth factor 1 and alteration of adipocytokine level. These factors not only have a role in metabolic regulation, but they also have mitogenic effect in cell proliferation. Epidemiologic and clinical evidence about the association between obesity and thyroid nodule are reviewed in this section.
Cell Proliferation ; Energy Intake ; Hyperinsulinism ; Incidence ; Insulin Resistance ; Life Style ; Metabolic Syndrome X ; Obesity* ; Thyroid Gland* ; Thyroid Nodule* ; Ultrasonography