Serum E-selectin concentration is associated with risk of metabolic syndrome in females

Objectives Traits of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and biomarkers of inflammation and endothelial dysfunction were examined. We investigated the differences of various biomarkers among individuals with or without Mets in a gender-specific manner. The gender-specific associations between E-selectin and MetS were further evaluated. Methods A total of 205 patients were recruited from the outpatient clinics of Tri-Service General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan. Inclusion criteria were age between 20-75 years and BMI < 35 kg/m(2). Demographic, anthropometric and MetS index data were compared between genders. Markers of inflammation and endothelial dysfunction were compared between individuals with or without MetS by gender. Results Age-adjusted E-selectin values showed significant positive correlations with BMI, waist-hip ratio, fasting plasma glucose, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, triglycerides, TNF-alpha, hsCRP and ICAM-1, and inverse correlation with HDL cholesterol. E-selectin levels were positively correlated with numbers of MetS components in females (P < 0.001) but not in males (P = 0.125). Conclusions Increased E-selectin levels are significantly associated with increased MetS risk in females, but not in males.