Markers of oxidative damage are not elevated in otherwise healthy individuals with the metabolic syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: The role of oxidative damage in the pathogenesis of metabolic syndrome is poorly understood. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: A detailed cross-sectional study was performed to assess the relationship between lipid oxidation products, gamma-glutamyltransferase, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and phospholipase activities with respect to the metabolic status in a cohort of otherwise healthy individuals. RESULTS: A total of 179 individuals (87 men and 92 women) aged 43 +/- 14 years (mean +/- SD) participated in this study. There were no differences in the levels of plasma F(2)-isoprostanes, hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acids, cholesterol oxidation products, and phospholipase activities in individuals with features of metabolic syndrome. In multivariate analyses, serum hs-CRP was a consistent independent predictor of metabolic syndrome. CONCLUSIONS: Minimal changes were observed in multiple markers of oxidative damage in a well-characterized cohort of individuals with features of metabolic syndrome.