title: Elevated concentration of oxidized LDL together with poor cardiorespiratory and abdominal muscle fitness predicts metabolic syndrome in young men.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is associated with increased oxidized LDL (ox-LDL), systemic inflammation, and poor cardiorespiratory fitness. We examined affiliations of these factors and the effect of muscular fitness on MetS in young healthy men.
  
  
  METHODS
  Physical fitness, ox-LDL, tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and serum lipids were measured in a nationally representative sample of Finnish young men with and without MetS. Participants (mean age 25.1years) performed tests of maximal oxygen uptake (VO₂max) and muscle fitness, and were divided into MetS (n=54, IDF 2007 criteria) and non-MetS (n=790). Age, smoking and leisure-time physical activity were used as covariates (ANCOVA).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The MetS group had lower results in VO₂max and all of the muscular fitness tests (excluding grip strength) (P<0.0001, in all). Ox-LDL, ox-LDL/HDL-cholesterol, ox-LDL/LDL-cholesterol, TNFα and IL-6 were all higher in the MetS group than in the non-MetS group (P<0.01, in all). In stepwise multivariate logistic regression analysis (adjusted to MetS criteria), higher ox-LDL (OR 1.118, 95% CI 1.078-1.160), lower VO₂max (OR 0.938, 95% CI 0.901-0.977) and lower sit-ups (OR 0.898, 95% CI 0.844-0.956) predicted MetS (p<0.05, in all).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Young men with MetS possess significantly poorer cardiorespiratory and muscle fitness, together with elevated systemic levels of ox-LDL, TNFα and IL-6 compared to non-MetS young men. Of these variables, ox-LDL, VO₂max and sit-ups predicted MetS. Based on these findings, poor physical fitness and elevated concentration of ox-LDL are significant predisposing factors in the development of MetS.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health and Exercise and Paavo Nurmi Center, Department of Physiology, University of Turku, Turku, Finland. jussi.kosola@utu.fi
authors.forename: Jussi
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kosola
authors.forename: Jani P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Vaara
authors.forename: Markku
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ahotupa
authors.forename: Heikki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kyröläinen
authors.forename: Matti
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Santtila
authors.forename: Niku
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Oksala
authors.forename: Mustafa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Atalay
authors.forename: Tommi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Vasankari
mesh_terms: D000009:Abdominal Muscles / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005387:Finland / Q000453:epidemiology; D006321:Heart / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000097:blood; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009206:Myocardium / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D010809:Physical Fitness; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012132:Respiratory Muscles / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000097:blood; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: C508600:IL6 protein, human; D015850:Interleukin-6; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL; C439524:TNF protein, human; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; C099252:oxidized low density lipoprotein