title: Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) and metabolic syndrome components among young adult females.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Occurrence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is rising steadily, with subsequent increase in the prevalence of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Recent studies have shown that PCSK9 plays a substantial role in atherogenic dyslipidemia. Hence, the aim of this study was to assess level of PCSK9 and its relationship with MetS components among young adult females.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study was carried out on 137 adult females over 18 years of age residing in the UAE. Subjects were categorized into two groups according to waist circumferences (WC): normal (<80cm; n=41) and large (≥80cm; n=96). Anthropometric and biochemical parameters in the fasting state (glucose, insulin, lipid profile, and PCSK9) were determined using conventional techniques. Homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and MetS scores were calculated as appropriate.
  
  
  RESULTS
  PCSK9 was lower in subjects with large WC compared to normal WC (p=0.016). PCSK9 correlated negatively with measures of obesity (p<0.05), and positively with IR (r=0.425, p<0.001). Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that the strongest predictor of PCSK9 was IR (B=6.213; p<0.001), followed by WC (B=-2.488; p<0.001) and triglycerides (B=0.897; p=0.013).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Results from this study demonstrate that PCSK9 correlates with some components of metabolic syndrome and central obesity in young females. Such findings support the suggestion of using PCSK9 inhibitors in the management of MetS to modify risk for development of CVD.
authors.affiliation: College of Health Sciences, Research Institute for Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.
authors.forename: Hayder
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hasan
authors.affiliation: College of Health Sciences, Research Institute for Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.
authors.forename: Amita
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Attlee
authors.affiliation: College of Health Sciences, Research Institute for Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.
authors.forename: Veena
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Raigangar
authors.affiliation: College of Health Sciences, Research Institute for Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.
authors.forename: Mohamed
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Madkour
authors.affiliation: College of Health Sciences, Research Institute for Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. Electronic address: sawadallah@sharjah.ac.ae.
authors.forename: Samir
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Awadallah
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood*; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000097:blood* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications*; D011379:Prognosis; D000071449:Proprotein Convertase 9 / Q000097:blood*; D055105:Waist Circumference; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D008055:Lipids; C472125:PCSK9 protein, human; D000071449:Proprotein Convertase 9
keywords: Dyslipidemia; Insulin resistance; Metabolic syndrome; PCSK9