title: Depleted leukocyte mitochondrial DNA copy number in metabolic syndrome.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is characterized by a group of defects of metabolic origin which are possibly involved in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) alteration of mtDNA content [Lee et al. Exp Biol Med, 2007; 232(5):592-606]. The present study was undertaken to ascertain whether alteration of leukocyte mtDNA copy number is related to MetS.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eighty non-MetS subjects and 50 subjects with MetS were recruited. The mtDNA copy number of leukocytes from each group of subjects was measured using quantitative polymerase chain reaction.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mtDNA copy number of leukocytes in subjects with MetS was significantly lower than that of non-MetS subjects. Depleted mtDNA copy number is correlated with lower plasma HDL, higher triglyceride, higher HOMA-IR and hypertension, and is even more sensitive to MetS criteria.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Depleted leukocyte mtDNA copy number is related to the severity of MetS. Alteration of mtDNA copy number in leukocytes is proposed as a MetS biomarker involved in the bioenergetic change of mitochondria.
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Changhua Christian Hospital, Changhua, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Ching-Hui
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Shih-Li
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Su
authors.forename: Ming-Chia
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Hsieh
authors.forename: Wen-Ling
authors.initials: WL
authors.lastname: Cheng
authors.forename: Chia-Chu
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Hsi-Lin
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Chen-Ling
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Kuo
authors.forename: Ta-Tsung
authors.initials: TT
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Chin-San
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Liu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D018628:Gene Dosage; D006801:Humans; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000235:genetics*; D008875:Middle Aged; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial; D014280:Triglycerides