Cross-sectional correlates of myeloperoxidase and alpha-1-acid glycoprotein with adiposity, atherogenic and hematological indices in metabolic syndrome patients with or without diabetes

Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and metabolic syndrome (MetS) are associated with obesity, which triggers the release of inflammatory substances. Myeloperoxidase (MPO), a peroxidase enzyme, and alpha-1-acid glycoprotein (AGP), an acute-phase protein, are known to be released in patients with inflammatory conditions and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Methods: In this study, we investigated the correlation between MPO and AGP levels in pre/diabetic and MetS patients by conducting a cross-sectional study at The University of Jordan Hospital (UoJH) at the diabetes and endocrinology outpatient clinics. A total of 237 patients were recruited and assessed for eligibility. Of these, 149 patients were excluded, and 88 patients were assigned as: 29 patients in a healthy lean normoglycemic control group; 29 patients in a nondiabetic MetS group; and 30 patients in a prediabetic/newly diagnosed T2DM MetS group. Results: MPO levels were only significantly higher in the nondiabetic MetS group compared with the control group (p = 0.026). AGP levels were significantly higher in both nondiabetic MetS and MetS-prediabetic/T2DM groups versus control (p = 0.007 and p = 0.015, respectively). Both biomarkers lacked inter-MetS-group discrepancy. Conclusions: Our results demonstrate an association between MPO and AGP with obesity and hyperglycemia, alongside their correlation with several adiposity, hematology and atherogenicity indices. Our findings reinforce the use of MPO and AGP as potentially putative and surrogate predictive/prognostic tools for MetS and its related disorders.