Confirming a biological pathway in the metabolic syndrome--insight from the NHANES 1999-2002.
The objective of this study was to examine the role of obesity in the development of the metabolic syndrome (MS). A total of 3,596 whites aged 19 years and above, who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 1999-2002, were included for analysis. Anthropometric measurements, biochemical profiles, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (CRP) were measured. A structural equation model (SEM) was constructed to elucidate a pathway in which obesity initiated the cascade leading to full MS. The results of SEM demonstrated that obesity was positively associated with elevated CRP level (B = 0.05, P < 0.001). This higher inflammatory state directed to insulin resistance (B = 0.32, P < 0.001), which in turn was positively associated with dyslipidemia (B = 0.06, P < 0.001). Obesity could also directly and positively affect blood pressure (B = 0.51, P < 0.001), without the mediation of insulin resistance and/or inflammation. The results of the cross-sectional analysis in the white subjects have shown that obesity has a strong influence on hypertension that obtains little additional influence from inflammation or insulin resistance. The metabolic profile in the NHANES group has been confirmatory with the statement that there is a sequential effect from obesity to inflammation, insulin resistance, and dyslipidemia. This approach has allowed to inferring important biological insights about the nature of the relationships among the components of MS.
Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital and College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.
Lian-Yu
LY
Lin
Hsu-Ko
HK
Kuo
Hung-Yuan
HY
Li
Juey-Jen
JJ
Hwang
Jou-Wei
JW
Lin
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D050171:Dyslipidemias / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000209:etiology*; D007249:Inflammation / Q000209:etiology*; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D008954:Models, Biological; D009749:Nutrition Surveys; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications*; D044465:White People; D055815:Young Adult
D002097:C-Reactive Protein