Data are expressed as mean SD. and 19.4 3.7 mL/mmHgx10 for controls (p = 0.001), small artery indices (C2) were 7.0 3.2 mL/mmHgx100 and 6.5 2.9 mL/mmHgx100 (NS), respectively. == Conclusions == Subjects with metabolic syndrome had elevated levels of oxidized LDL and reduced large arterial elasticity compared to controls. This finding may partly explain the increased risk for cardiovascular diseases among metabolic syndrome patients. == Trial registration == ClinicalTrials.govNCT01114763 == Background == Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is an accumulation of cardiovascular risk factors: visceral obesity, hypertension, dyslipidemia and abnormal glucose tolerance or diabetes. Subjects with metabolic syndrome are at high risk for cardiovascular diseases [1,2]. Mechanisms that link metabolic syndrome to increased risk are, however, incompletely understood. The key event in atherogenesis is oxidation of LDL particles entrapped in the intimae RFC37 of arteries [3]. Elevated levels of oxidized LDL (oxLDL) have been reported to correlate with subclinical atherosclerosis and predict future cardiovascular events [4,5]. Oxidized PF-CBP1 LDL, together with risk factors known to enhance atherosclerosis, damages the endothelium of the arterial wall [3]. Dysfunction of the endothelium leads into impaired elasticity of the artery already at an early stage of the atherosclerotic process [6]. Aortic stiffness has been found to predict future coronary events and cardiovascular death in previous studies [7,8]. Especially a reduction in the elasticity of small arteries has been found prominent in atherosclerosis and is believed to serve as a marker for early stages of atherosclerosis [6,9]. As a part of Hmeenlinna Metabolic Syndrome Research Program, we studied whether the levels of oxidized LDL and arterial elasticity assessed by a non-invasive radial artery tonometer differ between subjects with metabolic syndrome and their physically active controls. To our knowledge, this is the first time that both the levels of oxLDL and arterial elasticity are reported among the same metabolic syndrome subjects. == Methods == == Subjects == 40 Finnish men with metabolic syndrome diagnosed in routine health examination and laboratory tests, and their 40 age-matched, physically active controls were enrolled in the study. Only men aged 30-65 were included. Subjects with previously diagnosed cardiovascular disease and subjects on cholesterol-lowering medication, ACE-inhibitor or angiotensin-receptor blocker medication were excluded. Metabolic syndrome was defined according to the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) as the presence of at least three of the following five criteria [10]: – waist circumference > 102 cm – serum triglycerides level 1.7 mmol/L – serum high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol level < 1.03 mmol/L - blood pressure 130/85 PF-CBP1 mmHg PF-CBP1 – plasma glucose level 6.1 mmol/L or diabetes mellitus Information on subjects’ diseases, medication, smoking habits, alcohol consumption and cardiovascular diseases in family was gathered during a standardized interview. Subjects filled in a questionnaire on their average amount, type and mode of physical exercise per week. We calculated the energy expenditure of mean daily physical exercise in kilocalories by multiplying the MET value and exercise times per week and mean duration of exercise in hours and person’s weight in kilograms and finally dividing it by 7 [11]. The compendium of physical activities and subjects’ self-rated intensity levels of the exercise sessions were used in estimating the correct MET value [12]. To exclude controls with obstructive cardiovascular disease, participation was accepted if a subject exercised physically more than three times a week and more than 30 minutes per exercise without any symptoms of cardiovascular disease. Mean alcohol intake (g/day) was calculated by multiplying the average number of alcohol portions/month by ethanol content of each taken beverage and dividing it by 30. Subjects’ weight, height and waist circumference were measured. Subjects were given both PF-CBP1 oral and written information on the study before they signed an informed consent. The study was approved by PF-CBP1 the ethics committee of the Kanta-Hme Hospital District in Finland. == Laboratory Procedures == Serum levels of total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, HDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels were analyzed by a commercial Cobas Integra procedure (Roche). HbA1C was assessed by a standardized method in % and then calculated to mmol/mol according to Nathan et al [13]. Plasma levels of.