title: Patients affected by metabolic syndrome show decreased levels of circulating platelet derived growth factor (PDGF)-BB.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The development and/or progression of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in overweight and obese individuals have been associated to low-grade inflammation, but few studies have simultaneously analyzed the circulating levels of several cytokines.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this pilot study, a group of 27 cytokines and growth factors was analyzed in the serum of obese patients (n=40) diagnosed for MetS in comparison with sex- and age-matched control subjects without MetS (n=53) by using a multiplex immunoassay. Release of cytokines was measured in culture supernatants of human primary endothelial cells, THP-1 macrophagic cells and HuH-7 hepatoma cells upon exposure to a high fat mixture.
  
  
  RESULTS
  While the majority of cytokines did not show significant differences between the investigated groups, the circulating levels of CXCL10/IP-10 and IL-6 were higher in the MetS group versus overweight control group. In contrast, PDGF-BB serum levels were significantly decreased in MetS patients. The in vitro addition of a high fat mixture increased the release of IL-6 and/or CXCL10/IP-10 in the culture supernatant of human primary endothelial cells and THP-1 macrophagic cells, while the same mixture significantly decreased the release of PDGF-BB by human THP-1 macrophagic and HuH-7 hepatoma cells.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The current demonstration that MetS is associated with decrease of the pro-fibrotic PDGF cytokine is a completely novel finding, which adds complexity to the interplay between inflammation and fibrosis in patients affected by MetS.
authors: Department of Morphology and Embryology and LTTA Centre, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy.
authors: Veronica
authors: V
authors: Tisato
authors: Barbara
authors: B
authors: Toffoli
authors: Lorenzo
authors: L
authors: Monasta
authors: Stella
authors: S
authors: Bernardi
authors: Riccardo
authors: R
authors: Candido
authors: Giorgio
authors: G
authors: Zauli
authors: Paola
authors: P
authors: Secchiero
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000077214:Becaplermin; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D054357:Chemokine CXCL10 / Q000097:blood; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000097:blood; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications; D010865:Pilot Projects; D020574:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-sis / Q000097:blood*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: C114753:CXCL10 protein, human; D054357:Chemokine CXCL10; D015850:Interleukin-6; D020574:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-sis; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D000077214:Becaplermin