CRP and metabolic syndrome: Since increases in BMI associates with components of the metabolic syndrome (low HDL cholesterol, insulin resistance, arterial hypertension, and CRP plasma levels), the independent predictive value of BMI for the longitudinal MBF gradient also signifies a complex interplay of low HDL cholesterol, insulin resistance, and systemic inflammation likely accounting to the manifestation of IEV with increases in body weight [8], [20], [21].