title: The metabolic syndrome is associated with reduced central serotonergic responsivity in healthy community volunteers.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The pathobiology of the metabolic syndrome remains unclear. The central nervous system is likely to be involved via regulation of eating, physical activity, blood pressure, and metabolism.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that low central serotonergic activity is associated with the metabolic syndrome.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a cross-sectional study of 345 healthy community volunteers, aged 30-55 yr, not taking medications for hypertension, lipid disorders, or diabetes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Central serotonergic responsivity was assessed with the iv citalopram challenge test. The serum prolactin area under the curve (AUC) over 150 min was calculated, and all analyses were adjusted for age, sex, plasma citalopram concentration, and baseline prolactin. The metabolic syndrome was defined according to the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) and International Diabetes Federation (IDF) criteria. Insulin resistance was estimated by homeostasis model assessment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Compared with other individuals, persons meeting either NCEP or IDF criteria for the metabolic syndrome had lower mean prolactin responses (P < 0.05 for both). Using logistic regression, a decrease in prolactin AUC of 1 sd (-13.6 ng/ml.h) more than doubled the odds of having the metabolic syndrome (NCEP criteria: odds ratio, 2.38; 95% confidence interval, 1.14-4.97; P = 0.02; IDF criteria: odds ratio, 2.80; 95% confidence interval, 1.48-5.30; P = 0.002). Finally, the prolactin AUC was negatively associated with insulin resistance (beta = -0.03, P = 0.02).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Corroborating previous evidence, the metabolic syndrome was associated with diminished brain serotonergic activity as reflected in a comparative blunting of the prolactin response to a selective serotonergic challenge. This association may have implications for the etiology, prevention, and treatment of the metabolic syndrome.
authors.affiliation: Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Departments of Medicine and Epidemiology, University of Pittsburgh, 4015 O'Hara Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA. mfm10@pitt.edu
authors.forename: Matthew F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Muldoon
authors.forename: Rachel H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Mackey
authors.forename: Mary T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Korytkowski
authors.forename: Janine D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Flory
authors.forename: Bruce G
authors.initials: BG
authors.lastname: Pollock
authors.forename: Stephen B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Manuck
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D019540:Area Under Curve; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism*; D015283:Citalopram / Q000494:pharmacology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007333:Insulin Resistance / Q000502:physiology; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000378:metabolism*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011388:Prolactin / Q000378:metabolism; D012701:Serotonin / Q000378:metabolism*; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D015283:Citalopram; D011388:Prolactin; D012701:Serotonin; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors