Comprehensive evaluation of early metabolic hypoxia markers in experimental metabolic syndrome

This experimental study aimed to comprehensively assess early predictors of metabolic hypoxia in rats with metabolic syndrome by evaluating carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, oxidative stress, and hypoxia-associated markers. Male albino laboratory rats were studied with n=6 animals per group, including an intact group and two experimental metabolic syndrome groups. The assessment included glucose tolerance and insulin parameters, anthropometric indices, lipid profile, lipid peroxidation/antioxidant system parameters, lactate, HbA1c, HIF-1α, and reactive oxygen species (ROS). Metabolic syndrome was associated with hyperglycemia, hyperinsulinemia, an increased OGTT area under the curve, weight gain, atherogenic dyslipidemia, enhanced lipid peroxidation, and reduced antioxidant enzyme activity. After 3 months, lactate increased to 4.85±0.30 versus 1.56±0.08 in intact animals, HbA1c to 8.45±0.33 versus 4.42±0.30, HIF-1α to 4.28±0.36 versus 1.44±0.12, and ROS to 1203.27±79.41 versus 441.67±36.11. Strong positive correlations were identified for lactate–HbA1c, lactate– ROS, HbA1c–ROS, and Δlactate–ΔROS. A combined panel of metabolic, oxidative, and hypoxiaassociated markers may therefore be useful for identifying early metabolic hypoxia in experimental metabolic syndrome.