Circulating levels of ganglioside GM3 in metabolic syndrome: A pilot study

Background: Insulin resistance is a characteristic feature of metabolic syndrome. Ganglioside GM3 [alpha-Neu5Ac-(2-3)-beta-Gal-(1-4)-beta-Glc-(1-1)-ceramide] may impair insulin sensitivity in adipose tissue. We investigated the relationship between serum GM3 levels and adiposity indices, as welt as between serum GM3 levels and metabolic risk variables. Methods: Study 1: we assessed serum GM3 levels in normal subjects and in patients with hyperglycemia and/or hyperlipidemia (HL). Study 2: we investigated the relationship between serum GM3 levels and metabolic risk variables in patients with type 2 diabetes. Results: Study 1: serum GM3 levels were higher in hyperglycemic patients (1.4-fold), hyperlipidemic patients (1.4-fold) and hyperglycemic patients with hyperlipidemia (1.6-fold), than in normal subjects. Study 2: serum GM3 levels were significantly increased in type 2 diabetic patients with severe obesity (visceral. fat area (VFA) >200 cm(2), BMI > 30). The GM3 level was positively correlated with LDL-c (0.403, p = 0.012) in type 2 diabetes mellitus, but not affected by blood pressure. In addition, the high levels of small dense LDL (>10 mg/dL) were associated with the elevation of GM3. Conclusions: Serum GM3 levels was affected by glucose and lipid metabolism abnormalities and by visceral obesity. GM3 may be a useful marker for severity of metabolic syndrome. (C) 2008 Asian Oceanian Association for the Study of Obesity. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.