Direct contribution of obesity to oxidative damage to macromolecules

Obesity constitutes a common modifiable risk factor for certain non-communicable diseases (NCDs) associated with enhanced oxidative stress.

The aim of the study was to examine serum concentrations of malondialdehyde + 4-hydroxyalkenals (MDA+4-HDA), as an index of lipid peroxidation (LPO), and 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-oxodG) concentration in peripheral blood lymphocytes, as an index of nuclear DNA damage, in overweight and obese adult patients. LPO and 8-oxodG, as well as clinical and laboratory parameters, which are frequently affected by obesity, were evaluated in 58 overweight and obese adult patients, and in 20 healthy volunteers.

Both LPO and 8-oxodG levels were increased in overweight and obese patients, with further increase observed with the increasing body mass index (BMI). LPO correlated positively with body mass, BMI, waist circumference, hip circumference, waist:hip ratio, systolic or diastolic blood pressure, glucose, C-reactive protein and ferritin concentrations. 8-oxodG correlated positively with body mass, BMI, hip circumference and triglyceride concentration, whereas it correlated negatively with iron concentration. Expectedly, positive correlation between LPO and 8-oxodG was also found.

BMI constituted the only independent determinant (predictor) of LPO in overweight and obese patients. Consistently, LPO did constitute the only independent determinant of obesity. Overweight and obesity in adults are directly associated with increased oxidative damage to macromolecules.