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General:

Metabolic syndrome is described as a multifactorial entity that leads to the acceleration of the occurrence of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes, while it is characterized by visceral and intra-abdominal obesity, glucose resistance, hypertension, low HDL – cholesterol and high triglycerides.

In order to establish the existence of metabolic syndrome, at least three of the aforementioned factors must be present.

Metabolic Syndrome | Diabetes:

Insulin resistance is considered the beginning of the syndrome, which also leads to the development of all its individual factors. Insulin resistance is a pre-diabetic condition and is directly related to obesity.

Metabolic Syndrome and Carcinogenesis:

The view that metabolic syndrome is a causal factor for carcinogenesis is supported by many epidemiological and interventional studies.

Most of the existing epidemiological studies demonstrate causal relationships between obesity, malignancy development and mortality. Obesity is considered a major risk factor for the development of malignancies, and is associated with higher mortality rates for most types of cancer.

Specifically, metabolic syndrome has been associated with the development of colon cancer, prostate cancer, and recurrence of breast cancer, pancreatic cancer and ovarian cancer.

Existing data support a mechanistic association between metabolic syndrome and cancer.

Obesity is causally involved in the development of cancer cells at multiple levels of their development, through regulatory metabolic pathways related to cancer cell proliferation, apoptosis, metastasis and angiogenesis.

In parallel, hyperinsulinemia has been reported as the causal factor in the association observed between insulin resistance and cancer. Hyperinsulinemia develops secondary to insulin resistance from obesity.

Leptin and tumorigenesis

Leptin is an expression product of the ob/qene gene and is a multifactorial hormone that is produced mainly by adipose tissue.

The increase in serum leptin is observed in obese individuals and is directly related to the increase in adipose tissue mass, as well as to the increase in leptin release from hyperplastic adipose tissue cells.

Leptin has been shown to participate in both the puberty and aging processes where it increases and seems to contribute to the increase in adipose tissue observed in this period of life.

According to the established participation of leptin in the processes of growth and angiogenesis, it is reasonable to assume that high levels of leptin also contribute to processes of cell proliferation and tumor development.

The process of metastasis involves cell proliferation, angiogenesis, and a multitude of cellular changes, where tumor cells invade the epithelial basement membrane and extend into the interstitial layer.

The hypothesis formulated in accordance with recent literature data supports that the increase in leptin bioactivity, which is a direct result of obesity, as well as the increase in the intake of certain fatty acids, act catalytically in the process of carcinogenesis.

Leptin acts as a mitogen in many cell lines, such as vascular endothelial and smooth muscle cells, normal and neoplastic colon cells, 75 as well as breast cells.

Global spread of obesity and metabolic syndrome

The increase in adipose tissue, initially observed in Western societies, has recently gained global spread, resulting in today’s reference to an “epidemic” of obesity.

The reasons for this increase are considered to be the increase in fat in our daily diet, as well as the decrease in energy consumption.

Epidemiological studies have recently demonstrated the interdependence of obesity with the development of metabolic syndrome, diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular diseases and carcinogenesis.

Possible pathogenetic mechanisms include cytokines secreted by adipose tissue, postprandial hyperglycemia, increased fatty acids, hyperinsulinemia, as well as growth factors with a significant contribution to angiogenesis, such as leptin.Specialization and organized hospital structures at the service of the patient:

The combination of our specialization and many years of experience, combined with advanced technology machines, have established the Clinics of the Athens Medical Center Group as a pioneer in terms of the quality of hospital care it offers.

Therefore, by monitoring global developments on a daily basis and with our allies, state-of-the-art biomedical equipment, our specialization and experience, we are able to offer the most personalized diagnosis and care to each patient.

It is important to realize that even in the difficult period we are experiencing, we should never neglect our health. In addition to providing high-quality health services, the top priority for all of us remains the safety of patients, staff and doctors.

To this end, the strict measures and protocols for admission and stay that have been established are fully implemented, including the mandatory molecular testing for the virus for all patients and their companions.