Abstract
Background Increased blood lactate or uric acid (UA) levels are associated with an increased
risk of metabolic syndrome (MS). The aim of this study was to investigate the effect
of an interactive association between blood lactate and UA levels on MS.
Methods This community-based cross-sectional study included 2584 Chinese subjects aged ≥ 18
years. Participants were classified into 3 groups based on lactate or UA level tertiles
or into 9 groups based on a combination of lactate and UA level tertiles.
Results The serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and homeostatic model assessment
of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) levels and odds ratios (ORs) for MS increased across
the blood lactate or UA level tertiles (all P for trend<0.05). Interactions between lactate and UA with hs-CRP level, HOMA-IR level,
and ORs for MS (P<0.05 for all interactions) were also observed. The adjusted ORs for MS in participants
in the third tertile of lactate and UA levels, in the third tertile of lactate levels
and first tertile of UA levels, and in the first tertile of lactate levels and third
tertile of UA levels were 6.02 (95% CI 2.87–12.64, P<0.001), 2.92 (95% CI 1.39–6.10, P=0.005), and 2.70 (95% CI 1.23–5.96, P=0.014), respectively, compared with those in the first tertiles of both lactate and
UA levels.
Conclusion The interaction between lactate and UA is associated with a higher prevalence of
MS in the Chinese population.
Key words
lactate - uric acid - inflammation - insulin resistance - metabolic syndrome - epidemiology