Abstract
ObjectiveTo evaluate the gene expression of Toll-Like (TLR-2 and TLR-4) receptors and cytokine profile in postmenopausal women with or without metabolic syndrome (MetS).MethodsIn this cross-sectional study, 311 Brazilian women (age≥45 years and amenorrhea≥12 months) were included. Women showing three or more of the following diagnostic criteria were diagnosed as positive for MetS: waist circumference>88 cm, triglycerides≥150 mg/dL, HDL cholesterol<50 mg/dL, blood pressure≥130/85 mmHg, and fasting glucose≥100 mg/dL. The expression of TLR-2 and TLR-4 in peripheral blood was evaluated by RNA extraction and subsequent real time PCR analysis. The cytokine profile, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and interleukins 1β, 6, and 10, were measured by ELISA.ResultsThe expression of TLR-2 RNA was demonstrated in 32.5% and TLR-4 in 20.6% of the subjects. There was no association between the expression of TLR-2 and TLR-4 and the presence or absence of MetS (P>0.05). A greater production of IL-6 was associated with TLR-2 and TLR-4 expressions and greater production of TNF-α was associated only with TLR-2 expression (P>0.05). Only the lower quartile of IL-10 was associated with the presence of the MetS (P>0.05).ConclusionsTLR-2 and TLR-4 expressions were associated with increased pro-inflammatory cytokines, IL-6 and TNF-α, with no association with biomarkers of MetS. The low concentrations of IL-10 may suggest an anti-inflammatory modulation in postmenopausal women with MetS.
Highlights
Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is defined by a set of metabolic risk factors that include abdominal obesity, dyslipidemia, hypertension and dysglycemia [1]
The median age of subjects was 54 years and time since menopause 5 years; 37.6% of the women were classified as obese (IMC$30 kg/m2) and 53.4% with increased waist circumference (.88 cm), showing central body fat distribution
The expression of Toll-like receptors (TLRs)-2 mRNA was demonstrated in 32.5%, and TLR-4 mRNA in 20.6%, of the participants (Table 2)
Summary
Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is defined by a set of metabolic risk factors that include abdominal obesity, dyslipidemia, hypertension and dysglycemia [1]. It affects approximately 30% of the female population over 50 years with a threefold increase in the risk of mortality from cardiovascular disease (CVD) [2,3,4]. The MetS is associated with increased risk of developing atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease (CHD) in postmenopausal women [7]. Atherosclerosis is defined as a chronic, progressive and systemic process, consequent to the inflammatory and fibroproliferative response caused by aggression to the endothelial surface of arteries [10]. The elevation of serum CRP is considered an independent risk factor for atherosclerosis, in women [12], besides predisposing to acute myocardial infarction (AMI), cerebrovascular accident (stroke), peripheral artery disease and sudden death [14]
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