SERUM HEART TYPE FATTY ACID BINDING PROTEIN (H-FABP) LEVELS IN METABOLIC SYNDROME

Background: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a defined cluster of cardiometabolic abnormalities that increases an individual’s risk of type2 diabetes (T2D) and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Heart fatty acid binding protein (H-FABP) is a major cytoplasmic low-molecular weight protein and released into the circulation when the myocardium is injured. Previous studies have demonstrated that H-FABP is closely associated with acute coronary syndrome, hypertrophic and dilated cardiomyopathy, heart failure, stroke, obstructive sleep apnea syndrome, pulmonary embolism. The aim of this study was to investigate serum H-FABP value in the patients with MetS. Methods: We measured serum H-FABP levels in 209 adult Tunisian MetS patients (108 diabetic MetS and 101 non-diabetic MetS) matched by gender and ethnic origin and 193 control subjects, using immunoturbidimetric method. All subjects underwent anthropometric and biochemical examinations. Results: Serum H-FABP levels were significantly higher in patients with MetS than in control subjects 9.80±4.75 and 3.78±1.04 ng/ml, respectively, (P<0.001). Serum H-FABP levels were significantly higher in patients with diabetic MetS than in without diabetic MetS, 12.63±4.92 and 6.77±1.80 ng/ml, respectively, (P<0,001). There were statistically significant differences between patients without diabetic MetS and control subjects, 6.77±1.80 and 3.78±1.04 ng/ml, respectively, (P˂0.001). H-FABP was correlated with cardio metabolic parameters and insulin resistance. Conclusion:  Patients with MetS have an increased risk of death from cardiovascular diseases. H-FABP seems to be a marker that will enable the detection of cardiac injury in the early asymptomatic period in patients with MetS.