title: The role of distubances of phosphate metabolism in metabolic syndrome.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Metabolic syndrome represents a cluster of cardiovascular risk factors that has become a public health problem of epidemic proportions. It was proposed that disturbances in phosphate metabolism may represent a key feature of metabolic syndrome, with a high contribution of cardiovascular risk factors.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the study is to investigate the relationship between phosphate levels and the presence of the characteristics of metabolic syndrome, as well as the mechanisms that may responsible for reduced phosphate levels in patients with metabolic syndrome.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred fifty five subjects are enrolled in the study: 64 with metabolic syndrome and 91 without this syndrome. Biochemical parameters of the metabolic syndrome study populations were compared with healthy population study.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Patients with metabolic syndrome showed significantly lower phosphate (46%) and magnesium levels compared with controls (22.7%) (p<0.001).Because fractional excretion of phosphate was similar in both groups, we think that hypophosphatemia in patients with metabolic syndrome can be attributed to decreased dietary intake, as well as internal redistribution of this element. Lower magnesium hyperinsulimemia-induced renal magnesium wasting also may be a contributory factor.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients with metabolic syndrome show significantly lower phosphate and magnesium concentrations compared with individuals who do not fulfill criteria for diagnosis of this syndrome. This reduction is likely to be attributed to reduced dietary intake and internal redistribution of phosphate and is more pronounced as the number of components of metabolic syndrome increases. The clinical significance of these disturbances, as well as their importance as targets for preventive or therapeutic interventions, remains to be established.
authors.affiliation: "Dr. Ion Cantacuzino" Hospital, Bucharest, Romania ; "Carol Davila" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania.
authors.forename: Marilena
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Stoian
authors.affiliation: "Dr. Ion Cantacuzino" Hospital, Bucharest, Romania ; "Carol Davila" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania.
authors.forename: Victor
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Stoica
keywords: magnesium concentration; metabolic syndrome; phosphate concentration