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Exp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes 1997; 105: 38-40
DOI: 10.1055/s-0029-1211794
© J. A. Barth Verlag in Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Circulating endothelin-1 levels in obese patients with the metabolic syndrome

Claudio Ferri, Cesare Bellini** , Giovambattista Desideri, Roberta Baldoncini, Giuliana Properzi* , Anna Santucci* , Giancarlo De Mattia
  • University “La Sapienza” - Institute of I Clinica Medica, Andrea Cesalpino Foundation, Rome
  • * University of L'Aquila, Department of Internal Medicine and Public Health, L'Aquila, Italy
  • ** University of L'Aquila, Department of Experimental Medicine, L'Aquila, Italy
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Publication History

Publication Date:
14 July 2009 (online)

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Summary

We evaluated venous plasma ET-1 concentrations in 18 never-treated obese men (body mass index 31.0±0.5 kg/m2; age 45.4±4.3 years) showing the whole features of the above syndrome and 12 control men (age 44.1±3.6 years).

Circulating ET-1 levels were significantly higher in patients than in controls (p<0.05), and were directly correlated with fasting insulin levels (r=0.564, p=0.015) and erythrocyte Na+/Li+ counter-transport activity (r=0.504, p=0.033).

In conclusion, venous plasma ET-1 levels are elevated in obese men manifesting the whole features of the metabolic syndrome. Due to the biological properties of ET-1, our findings suggest the peptide as a further component of the cluster of cardiovascular risk factors which characterizes this syndrome.

Key words

endothelins - insulin - glucose - lipids