Omentin-1 is associated with carotid atherosclerosis in patients with metabolic syndrome

Aim: The goal of this study was to investigate the association between omentin-1 and carotid atherosclerosis in patients with metabolic syndrome (MetS). Method: We enrolled randomly 60 MetS patients, evaluated their carotid atherosclerosis employing ultrasonography and then divided them into two subgroups, MetS with atherosclerosis (MetS + AS) and MetS without atherosclerosis (MetS-AS) according to the level of carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and presence of plaque. Stiffness, strain and distensibility were calculated. Waist circumference and blood pressure (BP) were measured. Fasting blood sample was collected to determine biochemical indicators and insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR). Omentin-1 plasma level was assessed by ELISA. Association of omentin-1 with CIMT and metabolic markers were studied. Results: Levels of omentin-1 were lower in MetS than in controls and reduced further in MetS + AS compared with MetS-AS. In correlation analysis, omentin-1 was negative associated with CIMT, stiffness, waist circumference, body mass index (BMI), systolic blood pressure (SBP), fast blood glucose (FBG), and HOMA-IR. Conclusions: Omentin-1 is closely related to MetS and might play an important role in atherosclerosis in MetS patients. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.