Team:BGU Israel/Project/Metabolic Syndrome

The metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a cluster of cardiometabolic risk factors including central obesity, insulin resistance, glucose intolerance, dyslipidaemia and raised blood pressure [1]. The international Diabetes Federation (IDF) declared the syndrome ass a combination of the most dangerous risk factors for heart attack [2], which is the leading cause of death in high- or middle-income countries. The prevalence of MetS is increasing worldwide due to the epidemic of overweight and obesity. Today, it is estimated that 20-25% of the world's adult population suffers from MetS.

People with MetS have fivefold greater risk of developing type 2 diabetes (T2D) [3], the most common chronic diseases worldwide and the fourth or fifth leading cause of death in the developed world. Many factors can lead to development of MeS, Genetics, physical inactivity, ageing, a proinflammatory state and hormonal changes, all can have a casual effect depending on ethnic group [4]. However the insulin resistance and central obesity considered the most significant factors.

Because MetS is a cluster of many disorders, there many kinds of medication for each of the symptoms. Statins for example are a group of chemicals which inhibits the synthesis of cholesterol in the liver. Although intensive-dose statin therapy was associated with a reduced risk for CVD, it was also associated with an increased risk for statin-induced adverse events [6]. There are many kinds of insulin sensitizers, the most prominent are Metformin has showed to be delaying in devepment of T2D by the Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP). However like many other sensitizers it influences the whole body. The fact that only specific tissues in the body resistance to insulin (which is also a strong growth factor), makes a high dose treatment very risky. Other drugs like fibrates, Angiotensin inhibitor and Thiazolidinedione, all treat a specific symptom but not the cause of the Disease, and the biggest problem is that combination of them many times can lead to serious side effects.

Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes (TLC) is considered the most beneficial way to prevent or at least delay T2D and CVD. TLC also showed better results in the DPP that drugs therapy [7]. On the other hand, a proper diet and permanent exercise program demand knowledge and ambition, which not always accessible to unhealthy people.

We see the MeS as a growing Epidemic which is crossing countries and ethnics groups. A disease in this scale is worth a better treatment, one without dangerous side effects, which will treat the factors that cause the disorders and not just improve a specific symptom.