Endocrine Abstracts

Metabolic syndrome is an important health problem that has been shown to be associated with cardiovascular disease and mortality. Recent studies have shown the importance of inflammation in visceral fat tissue. Macrophage apoptosis inhibitor (AIM) and monocyte chemotactic protein (MCP-1) are molecules that cause migrating to visceral fat tissue of M1 macrophages that initiate adipocyte inflammation. The aim of this study is to understand the role of these molecules in the pathogenesis of the syndrome and to investigate whether they can be used as biomarkers in the diagnosis. For this purpose, 40 metabolic syndrome patients and 40 healthy individuals who were referred to Hacettepe University Hospital were included in the study. The mean age was higher in the metabolic syndrome group (46.68.8 and 40.37.9, P=0.003) when there was no gender difference between the groups. Serum AIM, MCP-1 and CRP levels were significantly higher in the metabolic syndrome group (P<0.01, P<0.01 and P<0.05). There was a significant positive correlation between serum AIM, MCP-1 and CRP levels with waist circumference (r=0.480, r=0.663 and r=0.418, P<0.01). ROC analysis was performed to determine the best cut points that could be used in the diagnosis of the metabolic syndrome. The area under curve (AUC) of the serum AIM MCP-1 and CRP cut off points (2383.7 pg/ml, 172.8 pg/ml and 0.366 mg/dl) that could be used in the diagnosis of the metabolic syndrome has been found statistically significant (AUC for AIM is 0.767, for MCP-1 is 0.651 and for CRP is 0.907, P<0.05). In addition, serum AIM and CRP levels above cut-off point, were independent risk factors for metabolic syndrome, whereas serum MCP-1 level was not independent risk factor. In conclusion AIM and MCP-1 may be effective molecules in the pathogenesis of metabolic syndrome and its subgroups. Serum AIM, MCP-1 and CRP levels can be used as a biomarker for diagnosis of metabolic syndrome.