Table 1 Baseline characteristics of subjects according to the presence (MetS) or absence (controls) of metabolic syndrome.

Sex (M/F)

32/8

14/6

NS

Age (years)

60 ± 3

58 ± 2

NS

BMI (Kg/m²)

30.1 ± 1.2

23.6 ± 0.8

P < 0.01

Blood pressure (mm Hg)

152/89 ± 2/1

129/79 ± 3/2

P < 0.01

Waist circumference

108 ± 5

82 ± 4

P < 0.01

Fasting glucose (mg/dl)

116 ± 7

87 ± 3

P < 0.01

OGTT (serum glucose after 120 min) (mg/dl)

187 ± 8

98 ± 4

P < 0.01

Serum cholesterol (mg/dl)

244 ± 5

186 ± 3

P < 0.01

Serum triglycerides (mg/dl)

207 ± 33

85 ± 20

P < 0.01

LDL cholesterol (mg/dl)

112 ± 7

100 ± 6

NS

HDL cholesterol (mg/dl)

47 ± 5

50 ± 3

NS

Serum creatinine

1.1 ± 0.1

0.9 ± 0.1

NS

Fasting insulin (μIU/mL)

12.0 ± 0.9

3.71 ± 0.4

P < 0.001

HOMA index

3.45 ± 2

0.8 ± 0.6

P < 0.01