To determine if fructose-induced changes of DNL, intra-abdominal fat deposition, circulating lipids and insulin sensitivity [6] were accompanied by increases of these biological markers associated with the development of metabolic syndrome, 24-h plasma uric acid levels as well as fasting concentrations of RBP-4 and activities of the liver enzymes GGT, AST and ALT were measured in overweight/obese men and women consuming fructose- or glucose-sweetened beverages for 10 wks. The gene discussed is RBP4; the disease is metabolic syndrome.