Comparison of Serum Ferritin and Oxidative Stress Biomarkers between Japanese men with and without Metabolic Syndrome

Background: Metabolic syndrome (MS) is closely linked to life-style and is characterized by central obesity leading to pathological conditions such as diabetes mellitus or atherosclerosis. The increased level of oxidative stress, which overwhelms the antioxidative defense capacity, induces oxidative damage to lipids, DNA and proteins. However, the relation between MS and oxidative stress still remains to be investigated in public health for clinical intervention. Methods: Biomarkers of oxidative stress, including urinary 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), 8-isoprostane, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and serum ferritin were determined in 293 Japanese men with and without MS. Fasting blood and urine samples were collected for determination of above mentioned biomarkers. Blood pressure (BP) and alcohol consumption were also recorded. MS was defined on the basis of the Japanese criterion. Results: Serum ferritin and urinary H2O2 levels were significantly higher in men with MS than those without. There was a significant positive correlation between ferritin and homeostasis model assessment (HOMA-R). In addition, serum ferritin was positively correlated with 8-OHdG and it was negatively correlated with 8-isoprostane and H2O2. By using multiple regression analysis, serum ferritin was closely correlated with HOMA-R, 8-OHdG, and alcohol consumption. Conclusions: Serum ferritin might be a useful marker of MS, reflecting the importance of oxidative stress in Japanese men with MS.