Assessment of Serum SFRP-4 Levels in Subjects with Metabolic Syndrome

Background: Metabolic syndrome is characterized by the clustering of obesity, dysglycaemia, dyslipidaemia, and hypertension, increasing the risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Secreted frizzled-related protein-4 (SFRP-4), a regulator of Wnt signalling, has emerged as a potential marker of metabolic dysfunction. Aims: To assess serum SFRP-4 levels among subjects with metabolic syndrome and determine their association with selected anthropometric, clinical, and biochemical parameters. Materials and Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional observational study was conducted among 110 subjects with metabolic syndrome at the Department of Biochemistry, ASJSATDS Medical College, Fatehpur, over one year. Anthropometric, clinical, and biochemical parameters were recorded, and serum SFRP-4 levels were assessed. Results: Among 110 subjects, 63 (57.3%) were males and 47 (42.7%) females. Increased waist circumference was present in 89 (80.9%), hypertension in 67 (60.9%), and low HDL-C in 72 (65.5%). Mean SFRP-4 increased with BMI from 6.82 ± 1.41 to 9.21 ± 2.03 ng/mL (p=0.004). Levels were higher with fasting glucose ≥126 mg/dL (9.18 ± 1.94 vs. 6.71 ± 1.35 ng/mL; p<0.001), triglycerides ≥150 mg/dL (8.72 ± 1.91 vs. 7.02 ± 1.47 ng/mL; p=0.001), low HDL-C (8.79 ± 1.94 vs. 7.36 ± 1.52 ng/mL; p=0.002), and hypertension (8.73 ± 1.91 vs. 7.48 ± 1.62 ng/mL; p=0.003). SFRP-4 correlated positively with BMI (r=0.356), waist circumference (r=0.391), fasting glucose (r=0.428), HbA1c (r=0.402), triglycerides (r=0.318), and systolic BP (r=0.271), while HDL-C showed an inverse correlation (r=−0.286); all p<0.05. Conclusion: Higher serum SFRP-4 levels were associated with multiple metabolic abnormalities, suggesting its potential as a biomarker of metabolic dysfunction in metabolic syndrome.