Gene expression of adipose tissue, endothelial cells and platelets in subjects with metabolic syndrome (Review).

Metabolic syndrome is a combination of medical disorders including hypertension, dyslipidemia, hyperglycemia, insulin resistance and increased waist circumference, and is associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular disease. An increase in adipose tissue mass is associated with the augmented secretion of certain adipokines, such as interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-α and resistin, which cause endothelial dysfunction (an increase in vasoconstrictor molecules and in the expression of adhesion molecules as well as a decrease of vasodilator molecules, amongst other features) and hemostasis alterations that also favor a prothrombotic state (increased fibrinogen and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 concentrations and platelet activation/aggregation). This interaction between adipose tissue, endothelial cells and platelets is associated with an increase or decrease in the expression of several transcription factors (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors, CCAAT-enhancer-binding proteins, carbohydrate responsive element-binding proteins and sterol regulatory element-binding proteins) that play a crucial role in the regulation of distinct metabolic pathways related to the metabolic syndrome.