Abstract:

Objective To investigate contents of serum free fatty acid (FFA) in old patients with metabolic syndrome (MS) and to analyze its correlation with the components of MS. Methods Among 1 372 over 60-year-old people undergoing physical examination, 169 patients with MS and 89 healthy subjects were selected as MS group and control group. The blood pressure, height, weight, waist circumference, and hip circumference were measured. Levels of fasting blood glucose, insulin, blood lipid, and serum FFA were measured. Waist-hip ratio (WHR), body mass index (BMI), and insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR) were calculated. Results The levels of waist circumference, WHR, BMI, fasting blood glucose and insulin, HOMA-IR, blood lipid, and serum FFA in MS group were significantly higher than those in control group. The levels of HDL-C were lower in MS group (P<0.05). Serum FFA level was positively correlated with WHR, BMI, fasting blood glucose, HOMA-IR, triglyceride, and total cholesterol (P<0.001). BMI and triglyceride influenced the level of serum FFA independently. The levels of serum FFA were significantly higher when MS accompanied with glucose disorder, hyperlipemia, and insulin resistance (P<0.05). Conclusion The levels of serum FFA are associated with many components of MS, and high levels of serum FFA is one of biochemical indexes of MS.

Key words: metabolic syndrome, free fatty acid, elderly