Relation of circulating oxidized LDL to obesity and insulin resistance in children

Circulating oxidized low-density lipoprotein (LDL), a marker of oxidative stress, is associated with obesity, insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, and cardiovascular disease in adults. However, little is known about its relation to insulin resistance and cardiovascular risk factors in children. The purpose of this study was to assess the relation of oxidative stress, measured by circulating oxidized LDL, with measures of adiposity and insulin resistance in children.

Oxidized LDL, measures of body fatness (body mass index: BMI, percent body fat, waist circumference, percent trunk fat, abdominal visceral and subcutaneous fat), insulin resistance with euglycemic insulin clamp (Mlbm), blood pressure, and blood lipids were obtained in 78 children. Oxidized LDL was compared between normal weight children (BMI < 85th percentile) and overweight/obese children (BMI ≥ 85th percentile) and levels were evaluated for associations with body fatness and insulin resistance.

Oxidized LDL levels were significantly higher in overweight/obese vs. normal weight children (p < 0.0001). Oxidized LDL was significantly correlated with BMI, percent body fat, waist circumference, percent trunk fat, abdominal visceral fat, and abdominal subcutaneous fat (all p-values <0.0001). Moreover, oxidized LDL was negatively correlated with Mlbm, even after adjustment for adiposity (p < 0.01).

Oxidized LDL is significantly associated with adiposity and with insulin resistance, independent of body fatness, in children. Oxidative stress may be independently related to the development of insulin resistance early in life, especially in obese youth.