PCSK9, SINDROME METABOLICA E DIABETE

Hyperlipidemias, multifactorial conditions partly genetically and partly life-habit induced, represent the most important underlying risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Metabolic syndrome, a condition comprising a cluster of risk factors including insulin resistance, obesity, hypertension and atherogenic dyslipidemia, doubles the risk of atherosclerotic CVD. Proprotein convertase subtilisin/ kexin type 9 (PCSK9), the key regulator of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor, has been linked also with many of lipid parameters as well as with insulin sensitivity indices. Moreover, although pre- clinical and clinical studies on the relationship between PCSK9 and diabetes mellitus do not show any association, as seen with statins, genetic variants of PCSK9, associated with lower LDL cholesterol, positively correlated to an increased risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Notably, this evidence is likely to be con ned to subjects with impaired fasting glucose levels. Thus, in the present review, we will discuss the current knowledge on the role of PCSK9 in the context of metabolic syndrome, alteration of lipids, glucose homeostasis and in ammation.