Metabolic Syndrome: A Multifaceted Disease of Affluence

Abstract

Metabolic syndrome developed in consequence of an evolutionary inadequacy: the human body was unprepared for a dietary excess of nutrients, especially lipids (largely in detriment of carbohydrate). This excess awakens metabolic signals akin to those of starvation, in which the main energy staple is the body's own lipid reserve. Lipid dietary abundance prevents the use of glucose, which in turn limits the oxidation of amino acids. To ward against a subsequent avalanche of substrates, the immune system and hypertrophied tissues (for example, adipose) elicit a series of defence responses. This response is probably the ultimate basis of a disease that is manifested as various pathologies, which were initially defined as distinct entities but which are slowly being seen as a single pathognomic unit in the literature. Based on their common origin of the ample availability of food in our modern society, the cluster of diseases comprising the metabolic syndrome is probably best described as a single multifaceted disease.

Validation of two point-of-care tests against standard lab measures of NO in saliva and in serum

“…This could be due to the fact that our population consisted of overweight to obese people. Among the obese and overweight individuals, the overall production and levels of NO are increased along with high nitrite excretion (47). Consistent with previous studies (20), there were significant correlations between the levels of nitrate and nitrite in the saliva, and between salivary nitrite and serum nitrate levels.…”

Use of14C-glucose by primary cultures of mature rat epididymal adipocytes. Marked release of lactate and glycerol, but limited lipogenesis in the absence of external stimuli

“…These considerations portrait a unique, complex and often misunderstood organ made up from several different cell types, compromised in the defense against excess energy availability. This problem, never encountered before along evolution, turns part of our systems of protection against scarcity, such as insulin resistance [7], into deadly components of metabolic syndrome molecular inflammation [8]. We have not had yet sufficient evolution time to develop methods to cope with the derangement caused by affluence [8].…”

“…This problem, never encountered before along evolution, turns part of our systems of protection against scarcity, such as insulin resistance [7], into deadly components of metabolic syndrome molecular inflammation [8]. We have not had yet sufficient evolution time to develop methods to cope with the derangement caused by affluence [8]. However, there are biological responses to the challenge, albeit limited and often ineffective: higher energy consumption (enhanced protein turnover, exercise) and wasting (thermogenesis), accompanied by (temporal) storage of fats, as well as secular trends to diminish energy intake.…”

Altered Nitrogen Balance and Decreased Urea Excretion in Male Rats Fed Cafeteria Diet Are Related to Arginine Availability

“…[1]. Administration of “cafeteria” diets [2] to rats has been used as an animal model for the study of late-onset hyperphagic obesity and metabolic syndrome.…”