Skin Changes and Peculiarities in Patients With Metabolic Syndrome

Abstract

Approximately 20-25 % of the World’s adult population aged 40 - 75 years have metabolic syndrome (MS). MS is one of the most widespread risk factors for: diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disorders and skin disorders MS, due to the oxidative stress, supports a chronic inflammatory reaction in the skin and in the other parts of the body. During oxidative stress the net amount of reactive oxygen species (ROS) exceeds the antioxidant capacity of the body causing lipid peroxidation, protein oxidation and oxidative DNA damage. The role of oxidative stress in pathogenesis of early skin changes in patients with MS is not clearly defined. The aim of our study was to compare visual skin changes between patients with MS and without it, and to reveal early histological manifestations of MS in the skin. The study was conducted at the Clinic of Aesthetic Dermatology, Riga, Latvia. 50 patients aged 45-55 were enrolled. The research consisted of a clinical examination, biochemical testing and Punch biopsies. Tissue samples were stained with haematoxylin-eosin, Masson’s Trichrome and also immunohistochemically stainining with antibodies to CD34, CD117, CD20, CD8 and bcl-2. CD1a positive Langerhans cells were evaluated in 3 fields of vision. Data was analyzed with Microsoft Excel 2010 software. Gender ratio was women: men= 1.6:1. Histological changes in the skin of patients with MS were: hyperkeratosis, acanthosis, dermal fibrosis, elastosis and mild thickening of the stratum spinosum. Infiltrates around blood vessels were composed of T lymphocytes (CD3+). More significant expression and accumulation of apoptotic protein Bcl2 in skin of patients with MS in comparison to patients without MS was noted. Initial skin histological changes in MS are dermal elastosis, thickening of stratum spinosum and acanthosis. Mild T lymphocytic infiltration around capillaries possibly reflects the inflammatory component of MS. Increased accumulation of bcl2 anti-apoptotic protein in epidermis was more significantly expressed in patients with MS.

Metabolic syndrome and the skin: a more than superficial association. Reviewing the association between skin diseases and metabolic syndrome and a clinical decision algorithm for high risk patients

“…Patients with skin cancer malignant melanoma suffer more often from blood hypertension with a positive relation also found for squamous cells carcinomas [ 73 ]. Microscopic changes were observed on histology sections while oxidative stress and inflammation affect the skin as well [ 87 ]. The result is the skin aging.…”

“…Moreover, histological sections showed dermal elastosis, thickening of stratum spinosum and basal membrane, acanthosis, as well as mild Τ lymphocytic infiltration around capillaries. Bcl-2 anti-apoptotic protein was accumulated in the epidermis more significantly in participants with MeTS [ 87 ].…”