Abstract
Emerging risk factors such as obesity, dyslipidemia, high blood pressure, and insulin resistance constitute a condition known as metabolic syndrome. As indicated in our earlier papers, reduced whole blood fluidity, as estimated by micro-channel array flow analysis, is closely interrelated to hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia in this syndrome. However, the possible detrimental effects of obesity on hemorheologic behavior have been less well acknowledged. In the present study, 150 non-cigarette-smoking patients with metabolic syndrome were enrolled, and body mass index, hemorheological profiles and laboratory parameters were evaluated. The data obtained were statistically compared with those derived from 48 healthy, agematched, non-smoking individuals. Statistical analyses revealed that the findings in non-smoking patients with metabolic syndrome were intimately associated with hyperglycemia, lipid and lipoprotein serum levels, elevation of C-reactive protein, and an increased leukocyte count, accounting for the presence of underlying proinflammatory events in the vascular system. These data indicate that hemorheological characteristics in the presence of metabolic syndrome are strongly related to blood glucose level rather than body mass index. The benefits and limits of using a micro-channel array flow analyzer to elucidate the effects of supplementary food and medicines on hemorheology are also briefly discussed.
