In this model, metabolic syndrome (MetS)-related comorbidities, such as obesity, T2DM, and hypertension, trigger chronic systemic low-grade inflammation, characterised by elevated levels of circulating immune cells and pro-inflammatory cytokines and upregulation of endothelial adhesion molecules, such as intercellular and vascular cellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1 and VCAM-1), and corresponding ligands on circulating leucocytes. Here, VCAM1 is linked to metabolic syndrome.