Scientists with the Washington University of Medicine in St. Louis have isolated five genetic factors that may increase the risk of metabolic syndrome, and one factor that appears to protect against it.

People with metabolic syndrome - who are usually overweight - present at least three of the following five conditions: abdominal fat, high levels of bad cholesterol, low levels of good cholesterol, high blood pressure, and elevated fasting blood glucose.

Metabolic syndrome is dangerous because those who have it are four times more likely to develop heart disease and seven times more likely to become diabetic than are individuals who do not have the disorder.

The St. Louis researchers examined DNA from 2000 people and found that the gene variations that predicted metabolic syndrome in prior animal studies carried over into human genetics.

This study, which was financed by the National Institute of Health, was published in the June edition of the journal Human Molecular Genetics.

Labels: genetics, metabolism