Vascular function and its association with systemic inflammation in the context of the metabolic syndrome

Background. C-reactive protein (CRP) is a marker of future cardiovascular (CV) risk. CRP levels are elevated in asymptomatic subjects with metabolic syndrome (MS-defined by ATP-III criteria) and correlate positively with number of ATP-III diagnostic criteria present. The association between other markers of CV risk such as endothelial dysfunction (ED-earliest functional disturbance in development of atherosclerosis) and alternative markers of inflammation and MS remains unclear.