Association between serum Vitamin E concentrations and the presence of Metabolic Syndrome: A population-based cohort study

BACKGROUND. Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a cluster of clinical and metabolic features that include central obesity, dyslipidemia, hypertension and impaired glucose tolerance. These features are accompanied by increased oxidative stress and impaired antioxidant defenses. Vitamin E is a major factor in the non-enzymatic antioxidant defenses. The aim of present study was to investigate the association between serum levels of vitamin E and the presence of MetS and its components in a subsample population of Mashhad stroke and heart atherosclerotic disorder (MASHAD) study. METHODS. This cross-sectional study was carried out in 128 subjects with MetS and 235 subjects without MetS. MetS was defined according to the International-Diabetes-Federation criteria. Serum levels of vitamin E were measured using the HPLC method. Anthropometric and biochemical parameters were measured using standard protocols. RESULTS. MetS patients had significantly lower serum levels of vitamin E (Vit E), Vit E/Total cholesterol (TC), and Vit E/ (TC+triglyceride(TG)) compared to the control group (P < 0.05). Vit E/ (TG+TC) was also significantly lower in diabetics or those with elevated levels of highly sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP). Additionally, there was a significant association between Vit E/ (TG + TC) and MetS (OR:0.87, 95% CI (0.78-0.96)). CONCLUSIONS. There is a significant inverse association between Vit E/ (TG + Total Cho) and the presence of MetS. Moreover, a significantly lower Vit E/ (TC+TG) was observed in subjects with more than 3 components of the MetS. The evaluation of this association in a larger population may help further confirm these findings.