Background & Aims : The metabolic syndrome (MS) is a clustering of risk factors of metabolic origin that increases the risk for cardiovascular disease . Endothelial function biomarkers and lipids profile determine cardiovascular disease . Aim of this study was to investigate the effect of sex on endothelial function and lipid profile.

  Materials & M ethods: The present study involved 77 patients (59 women, 18 men) with metabolic syndrome that were defined according to Adult Treatment Panel III (three altered factors from five factors including abdominal obesity, elevated TG, low HDL-c, increased blood pressure, Fasting blood sugar (FBS) intolerance). Tests were detected by ELISA and biochemistry methods.

  Results : Body mass index (women 34.56±4.97 kg/m² men 30.22 ± 3.01 kg/m²) waist circumference (women 110.18±10.52 cm 105.06±5.65 cm) were higher in women with metabolic syndrome (p<0.05). Total cholesterol, triglycerides FBS, HDL-c, LDL-c levels were similar in women and men with MS (p> 0.05). Endotelin-1 was significantly higher in women with MS (p< 0.05). Intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM-1), E-selectin, NO₂^-, NO₃^- levels were similar in women and men with MS (p> 0.05). There were positive correlations between endothelial biomarkers in women with MS.

  Conclusion : Visceral obesity in women may be the major cause of metabolic syndrome. Abdominal obesity may contribute to MS through its action as an endocrine organ that produces proinflammatory cytokines . 

  Source: Urmia Med J 2011: 22(5): 483 ISSN: 1027-3727