Oxidative Stress in Algerian Adults Obesity

Abstract Background: Obesity increases the incidence of diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, atherosclerosis, and cancer. Oxidative stress has been considered one of the mechanisms linking obesity to these pathologies. Our aim was to evaluate the oxidative stress status in obese Adults Methods: Our study focused on a sample of 187 healthy volunteers in the city of Constantine, divided according to their BMI into three groups: group A (BMI <25, normal nutritional status), group B (25 ≤ BMI <30, overweight) and group C (BMI ≥ 30, obesity). The status of oxidative stress was evaluated by determining the activities of erythrocyte antioxidant enzymes glutathione peroxidas (GPx) and superoxide dismutase (SOD), plasma concentrations of antioxidant vitamins (E,A) and lipid peroxidation marker , the malondialdehyde (MDA). Results: Vitamin E / Lipids ratio and vitamin A plasma concentration were significantly lower in obese subjects compared with those having normal BMI: 3.40 ± 1.16 mg / g vs 3.87 ± 1.16 mg / g; p <0.05 and 0.63 (0.46-0.76) mg/l vs 0.69 (0.57-0.86) mg/l, p <0.05 respectively. MDA plasma concentrations were significantly higher in obese versus overweight subjects and those having normal BMI: 11.4 (7.1 to 14.6) mg/l vs 8.6 (5.9 to 11.6) g/l, p <0.01 and 11.4 (7.1 to 14.6) mg/l vs 8.4 (5.9 to 12.3) mg/l, p <0.05 respectively. There was no significant difference between the MDA plasma concentration of overweight subjects and those having normal BMI. Erythrocyte SOD and Gpx activities of different classes of BMI were comparable. MDA was positively and significantly correlated with BMI (r = 0.149, p <0.05). Conclusion: The decrease in antioxidant defenses and increased lipid peroxidation in obese subjects reflect a profound oxidative stress, which would be one of the mechanisms involved in the onset of diseases caused by the obesity.