Objectives: Evidence are available showing that higher nitric oxide production is associated with metabolic disorders. The aim of this study was to determine serum nitric oxide metabolites (NOx) concentration in subjects with metabolic syndrome (MetS).
Design and methods: In a cross-sectional study, NOx was measured in 3505 subjects, aged 20-94 years, using the Griess reaction. After excluding subjects taking medications for hypertension and dyslipidemia, data for 3148 subjects were analyzed.
Results: There was a direct association between the numbers of metabolic risk factors and serum NOx values in both genders (p for trend<0.05). After multivariable adjustment, serum NOx concentration was significantly higher in subjects with MetS [(31.9 (29.4-34.6) vs. 29.8 (27.6-32.1), p<0.01) or type 2 diabetes (34.6 (31.3-38.2) vs. 30.2 (27.9-32.6), p<0.001) as compared to their corresponding controls.
Conclusions: Higher NOx concentrations in subjects with MetS and type 2 diabetes support the existing hypothesis that NO overproduction affects insulin's metabolic actions.