[Current views on metabolic syndrome].

The theory of metabolic syndrome originated 30 years ago. Several definitions try to explain the frequent common incidence of the risk factors for atherosclerosis. At first the syndrome of insulin resistance was involved. It was only later that the relation of the metabolic syndrome was described to what is known as systemic inflammation arising in adipose tissue and inflammatory diseases such as chronic bronchitis or psoriasis, or to degenerative diseases such as Alzheimers disease. The views on the metabolic syndrome are thus constantly changing. Key words: adipose tissue inflammation - definition of metabolic syndrome - insulin resistance - myokines - systemic inflammation.