Metabolic syndrome (MetS), is a constellation of cardiometabolic disease risk factors, that affects 1 in 3 US adults and predisposes to increased risks for both diabetes and cardiovascular disease. While epidemiological studies show low vitamin D [(25(OH)D] levels in MetS, there is sparse data on vitamin D status in MetS patients in North America. Thus, the aim of our study was to examine plasma vitamin D concentration among adults with MetS in Northern California (sunny climate), but without diabetes or cardiovascular disease. 25(OH)D levels were significantly decreased in MetS compared to controls. 8 % of controls and 30% of MetS North American adult subjects were deficient in 25(OH)D (<20 ng/ml; p=0.0236, Controls vs. MetS). There were no significant differences between the groups with respect to blood sampling in winter and summer months, total calcium and phosphate, and creatinine levels. Vitamin D levels were significantly inversely correlated with fasting glucose (r=-0.29, p=0.04) and HOMA (r=-0.34, p=0.04). Future studies of vitamin D supplementation in these subjects on subsequent risk of diabetes will prove instructive with respect to potential health claims in these high risk patients with MetS.

Aims The metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a major global problem, and inflammation and insulin resistance appear to be key underpinnings in this cardio‐metabolic cluster. MetS predisposes to an increased risk of diabetes and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). It has a procoagulant diathesis which included increased platelet activity and impaired fibrinolysis. High density lipoprotein (HDL) appears to be anti‐thrombotic. Accordingly, we examined the ratios between platelets to HDL‐cholesterol(C) and adiponectin (Adipo) in patients with nascent MetS without the confounding of diabetes, ASCVD and smoking to determine their validity as biomarkers of MetS. Methods Patients with nascent MetS (n = 58) and matched controls (n = 44) were recruited. Fasting blood samples were obtained for complete blood counts, basic metabolic panel, lipids, insulin, and Adipo. Ratios of platelets to HDL‐C and Adipo were calculated. Results Following adjustment for adiposity, only the platelet: HDL ratio was significantly increased in MetS and increased with severity of MetS. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that the platelet: HDL‐C area under the curve (AUC) significantly added to both platelets and platelet lymphocyte ratio AUCs. Also the platelet: HDL‐C ratio correlated with all cardio‐metabolic features of MetS, high sensitivity C‐reactive protein, insulin resistance chemerin, and leptin. Conclusions The ratio of platelets: HDL‐C is significantly increased in patients with nascent MetS and appear to be a valid biomarker of MetS. It could also emerge as a biomarker for athero‐thrombotic risk. However, these preliminary findings need confirmation in large prospective studies.

BackgroundMetabolic syndrome (MetS) continues to be a significant problem globally, affecting nearly 35% of adults in the USA. Whilst there is no ideal biomarker that captures this disorder, high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) appears to be most widely accepted. We examined the ratios between neutrophils (PMNs) and monocytes to high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol and adiponectin, two anti-inflammatory proteins, in patients with nascent MetS without the confounding of diabetes, atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases (ASCVD), smoking or lipid therapy to determine if they were also valid biomarkers of MetS.Materials and methodsPatients with nascent MetS (n = 58) and matched controls (n = 44) were recruited from Sacramento County. Fasting blood samples were obtained for complete blood counts, basic metabolic panel, lipid profile, insulin and adiponectin. Ratios of PMNs and monocytes to HDL-C and adiponectin were calculated and compared statistically.ResultsThe PMN:HDL-C, monocyte:HDL-C, PMN:adiponectin and monocyte:adiponectin ratios were significantly increased in patients with MetS and increased with increasing severity of MetS. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis showed that both the PMN:HDL-C and monocyte:HDL-C areas under the curve (AUCs) significantly added to the CRP AUC. Also both the ratios correlated with cardio-metabolic features of MetS, hsCRP and insulin resistance.ConclusionsOur data indicates that ratios of neutrophils and monocytes to HDL-C are significantly increased in patients with nascent MetS and both ratios appear to be better predictors of MetS than hsCRP alone. These important preliminary findings need to be confirmed in large prospective databases.

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