Protein oxidation in metabolic syndrome.

PURPOSE Oxidative stress plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of the metabolic syndrome and in the progression of its complications. Carbonylated proteins are a stable marker of severe oxidative stress because damage to the protein structure is irreversible and may cause an inhibition of their enzymatic activity or an increased susceptibility to proteolysis. There are few data regarding protein oxidation in metabolic syndrome, although elevated levels of carbonyl groups are often detected in subjects with obesity, diabetes mellitus, hypertension or dyslipidemia, well-known components of the metabolic syndrome. In particular, obesity, insulin resistance and diabetes mellitus are frequently associated with increased protein carbonylation. A relationship between insulin resistance, protein oxidative stress and inflammation has also been suggested as well as protein oxidation products are correlated with overexpression of resistin, TNF-α and IL-6. CONCLUSION Therapeutic interventions based on lifestyle modifications and pharmacological agents in order to correct all the main risk factors influence oxidative stress and protein carbonylation.