Elevated Oxytocin Levels and Their Relationship to Metabolic Syndrome and Obesity Among Young Sudanese Adults: A Cross-Sectional Analysis.

AIMS

This study was to determine the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and obesity in young adults from Sudan, investigate their effect on plasma levels of oxytocin, and examine the association of oxytocin level with the determinants of metabolic syndrome and obesity.

METHODS

This was a cross-sectional study that included 202 young adults. Random sampling was applied to recruit volunteers from Ribat University, Khartoum, Sudan. Blood pressure, waist circumference, and plasma lipids were measured and applied for the diagnosis of metabolic syndrome according to the National Cholesterol Education Program - Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP ATP III) criteria. Fasting blood glucose and insulin were used to validate the insulin resistance in patients with MetS. Oxytocin was measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

RESULTS

Metabolic syndrome was diagnosed in 29 students (14.36%). Mean oxytocin level was significantly higher in students with MetS (10.34 pg/mL, N=29) compared with students without MetS (9.15 pg/mL, N=174) (P < 0.001). Mean oxytocin level did not differ between students with homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) ≥ 2.5 (N=47), and without HOMA-IR < 2.5 (N=155); the oxytocin level was 9.53 pg/mL and 9.25 pg/mL, respectively (P = 0.068). Moderate positive correlations existed between oxytocin and waist circumference, BMI, body weight, triglycerides (TG), hip circumference, and high-density lipoprotein (HDL; P < 0.001). Oxytocin did not correlate with fasting blood glucose.

CONCLUSION

Oxytocin levels increased in young adults with MetS. Oxytocin levels correlate positively with BMI, waist circumference, blood pressure, triglycerides, and HDL.