CAV1 and metabolic syndrome: In humans, Cav1 minor allele homozygotes had the lowest levels of Cav1 expression.13,24 Cav1 minor allele carriers have increased insulin resistance, a higher 10-year Framingham score, and higher prevalence of diabetes, dyslipidemia, and the metabolic syndrome.19 Yet, Cav1 knockout mice have decreases in atherosclerosis—an effect specific to endothelial caveolin.12