title: Roles of the metabolic syndrome, HDL cholesterol, and coronary atherosclerosis in subclinical inflammation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The metabolic syndrome (MetS) and coronary artery disease (CAD) frequently coincide; their individual contribution to inflammation is unknown.
  
  
  METHODS
  We enrolled 1,010 patients undergoing coronary angiography. Coronary stenoses >or=50% were considered significant. The MetS was defined according to American Heart Association-revised National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III criteria.
  
  
  RESULTS
  C-reactive protein (CRP) did not differ between patients with significant CAD and subjects without significant CAD (P = 0.706) but was significantly higher in MetS patients than in those without MetS (P < 0.001). The MetS criteria low HDL cholesterol (P < 0.001), large waist (P < 0.001), high glucose (P < 0.001), and high blood pressure (P = 0.016), but not high triglycerides (P = 0.352), proved associated with CRP. When all MetS traits were considered simultaneously, only low HDL cholesterol proved independently associated with CRP (F = 44.19; P < 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  CRP is strongly associated with the MetS but not with coronary atherosclerosis. The association of the MetS with subclinical inflammation is driven by the low HDL cholesterol feature.
authors.affiliation: Vorarlberg Institute for Vascular Investigation and Treatment, Feldkirch, Austria.
authors.forename: Philipp
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Rein
authors.forename: Christoph H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Saely
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Beer
authors.forename: Alexander
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vonbank
authors.forename: Heinz
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Drexel
mesh_terms: D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000378:metabolism*; D017023:Coronary Angiography; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000378:metabolism*; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D002097:C-Reactive Protein