title: [Evaluation of endothelial function and estimation of the degree of apoptosis in patients with metabolic syndrome and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate endothelial function (EF) and to estimate the level of a serum apoptosis marker (caspase-8) in patients with metabolic syndrome (MS) and in those with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).
  
  
  METHODS
  The investigation enrolled 76 patients: 43 with MS (out of them, 72.1% were found to have NAFLD) and 33 without MS and NAFLD. All the patients underwent evaluation of EF by photoplethysmography; the level of caspase-8 as one of the apoptosis markers was studied in all.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Increased arterial stiffness was more common in a group of patients with MS. Systolic duration was higher in these patients (p < 0.05). In these patients, an occlusion test revealed the significantly more marked signs of endothelial dysfunction (ED), which correlated with some cardiovascular diseases (CVD), and hepatic steatosis (p < 0.05). The mean level of caspase-8 was significantly higher in the group of MS patients (p < 0.05). There was a positive correlation between caspase-8 levels and hepatic and pancreatic steatosis, obesity, aortic atherosclerosis, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (p < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The study group of MS patients (among whom, there was a preponderance of those with NAFLD) had, firstly, higher arterial stiffness more frequently (as evidenced by photoplethysmography), secondly, longer systolic duration, which may be a risk factor for CVD; thirdly, more pronounced ED. Fourthly, according to the data of a study of caspase-8 levels, its indicator may serve as a prognostic marker for the development of CVD and NAFLD. It was, fifthly, shown that the administration of statins might reduce the degree of apoptosis.
authors.affiliation: I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University ,V.Kh. Vasilenko Clinic of Internal Propedeutics, Gastroenterology, and Hepatology, I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russia.
authors.forename: O M
authors.initials: OM
authors.lastname: Drapkina
authors.affiliation: I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University ,V.Kh. Vasilenko Clinic of Internal Propedeutics, Gastroenterology, and Hepatology, I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russia.
authors.forename: T A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Deeva
authors.affiliation: I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University ,V.Kh. Vasilenko Clinic of Internal Propedeutics, Gastroenterology, and Hepatology, I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russia.
authors.forename: V T
authors.initials: VT
authors.lastname: Ivashkin
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000502:physiology; D053181:Caspase 8 / Q000097:blood*; D004727:Endothelium / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D065626:Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology*
chemical_list: D053181:Caspase 8