The metabolic syndrome

The metabolic syndrome (MS) is a cluster of metabolic abnormalities leading to increased risk for cardiovascular diseases and diabetes type 2. Its prevalence is increasing with aging. There exists actually an epidemic of MS. Visceral obesity and the resulting insulin resistance (IR) are the major determinant in the development of the MS. Abdominal obesity results in a low grade inflammation via the adipose tissue and macrophages secreted adipokines. This inflammation, via the generated pro-inflammatory molecules, interferes with the normal insulin signalling and thus contributes to the etiopathogenesis of the MS. Large clinical studies showed that CRP is increased in obese subjects and concomitantly to the number of existing component of the MS. Treatment of the MS is aimed to improve the IR by lifestyle changes including exercise and diet alone or in combination with medication targeting the individual components but having also anti-inflammatory actions.. More research is needed to bring new therapies to be able to decrease the incidence and prevalence of the MS among the population and thus increasing their quality of life. (c) 2006 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.