Association of metabolic syndrome components with alterations in oxidative stress and cytokines expression

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) has been associated with a chronic inflammation state; the specific causative etiology to the MetS will need further investigation. The present study aims to explore the levels and roles of pro- and anti-inflammatory biomarkers and antioxidant enzymes in MetS development. Subjects were divided into five groups: healthy controls; patients with dyslipidemia; patients with dyslipidemia and obesity; patients with dyslipidemia, obesity, and hypertension; patients with dyslipidemia, obesity, hypertension, and hyperglycemia. Antioxidant enzyme activities were dramatically decreased in MetS patients, whereas inflammatory marker levels were elevated. The levels of interleukin (IL)-8, IL-23, IL-33, nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappa B), resistin, and nitric oxide were positively correlated to triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, fasting plasma glucose, and glycosylated hemoglobin levels. Therefore, the data indicate that antioxidant enzymes, IL-8, IL-23, IL-33, NF-kappa B, and resistin might be used as tools to ameliorate and treat metabolic diseases.