Page - (000149) - in Biomedical Chemistry: Current Trends and Developments

Cidália Pereira, Rosário Monteiro, Maria João Martins* 2.3 Understanding the Metabolic Syndrome Using a Biomedical Chemistry Profile 2.3.1 Introduction For quite some time, it has been identified that high blood pressure, dyslipidemia [increased triglycerides and reduced high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels], impaired glucose homeostasis and abdominal obesity take place concurrently more than by random, supporting the existence of the metabolic syndrome (MetSyn). Additionally, hyperuricemia, a prothrombotic state, oxidative stress, chronic low-grade inflammation, increased levels of apolipoprotein-B and small dense low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (contributing to atherogenic dyslipidemia), non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and/or non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, obstructive sleep apnea and/or polycystic ovarian disease (Fulop, 2006; Alberti, 2009; Roberts, 2009; Ma, 2012; Matsuda, 2013; Mule, 2014; Carson, 2015) are quite often present on the MetSyn, although not yet included in its current/actual definition. Taking this into consideration, it is not surprising that the MetSyn associates with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (Fulop, 2006; Qiao, 2007; Carson, 2015). Epidemiological and experimental evidence has demonstrated beneficial effects of dietary magnesium, calcium, potassium and bicarbonate on the MetSyn or some of its individual components (Luft, 1990; Van Leer, 1995; Schorr, 1996; Whelton, 1997; Franch, 2004; Rylander, 2004; Schoppen, 2004; Franzoni, 2005; Karppanen, 2005; Schoppen, 2005; He, 2006; Feldeisen, 2007; Schoppen, 2007; Champagne, 2008; Rylander, 2008; Volpe, 2008; Perez-Granados, 2010; Adeva, 2011; Rice, 2011; Lee, 2013). Natural mineral-rich waters are good sources of highly absorbable and bioavailable minerals (such as calcium, magnesium and potassium)