Enhanced soluble CD40L in patients with the metabolic syndrome: Relationship with in vivo thrombin generation.
OBJECTIVE
The metabolic syndrome is associated with proinflammatory and prothrombotic states. This study was designed to assess the behaviour of soluble CD40 ligand (sCD40L) and prothrombin fragment F (1+2), a marker of thrombin generation, in patients with the metabolic syndrome.


METHODS
We investigated 106 patients with the metabolic syndrome, diagnosed according to the ATPIII report, and 104 subjects without the metabolic syndrome.


RESULTS
Plasma values of sCD40L and F (1+2) were higher in patients with the metabolic syndrome (4.11+/-1.64 vs 2.61+/-0.89 ng/ml and 1.54+/-0.49 vs 0.87+/-0.21 nmol/l, respectively; p < 0.001) and were significantly correlated (r = 0.925, p < 0.001). Stepwise multiple linear regression analysis showed that sCD40L was significantly associated with F (1+2), female sex and waist circumference.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients with the metabolic syndrome have enhanced values of plasma sCD40L and F (1+2). The study provides further insight into the relationship between metabolic syndrome, inflammation and thrombosis.
IV Division of Internal Medicine, Department of Experimental Medicine and Pathology, University of Rome La Sapienza, Viale del Policlinico, 00161 Rome, Italy.
F
F
Angelico
C
C
Alessandri
D
D
Ferro
P
P
Pignatelli
M
M
Del Ben
S
S
Fiorello
R
R
Cangemi
L
L
Loffredo
F
F
Violi
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000097:blood; D049628:Body Size; D023201:CD40 Ligand / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000097:blood* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000378:metabolism; D011516:Prothrombin / Q000378:metabolism; D013917:Thrombin / Q000502:physiology*
D015703:Antigens, CD; D010446:Peptide Fragments; C045879:prothrombin fragment 1.2; D023201:CD40 Ligand; D011516:Prothrombin; D013917:Thrombin