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Updated: May 9, 2026
Evaluation of Oxidative Stress in Biological Samples Using the Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances Assay
Published on: May 12, 2020
A biomarker of oxidative stress as a nontraditional risk factor in obese subjects
Cristina Vassalle1, Luisella Vigna, Sara Bianchi
1Fondazione G Monasterio CNR Regione Toscana, Pisa, Italy. cristina.vassalle@ftgm.it
Background:
Oxidative stress has been postulated as an additive factor linking obesity to cardiovascular disease.
Materials & Methods:
Derivatives of reactive oxygen species metabolites (d-ROMs) were measured in 136 obese (42 males, 94 females; mean age: 47 ± 12 years; BMI: 36 ± 5 kg/m(2)) and in 306 over- and normal-weight subjects (112 males, 194 females; age: 47 ± 12 years; BMI: 24 ± 3 kg/m(2)).
Results:
d-ROMs levels were higher in obese than in over- and normal-weight subjects (395 ± 104 vs 362 ± 102 and 351 ± 84 arbitrary units (AU); p < 0.001), in women than males (390 ± 104 vs 327 ± 68 AU; p < 0.001), in subjects with than those without hypertension (390 ± 103 vs 360 ± 95 AU; p < 0.01) and in smokers than former and nonsmokers (380 ± 97 vs 358 ± 97 AU; p < 0.05). A positive correlation was found between d-ROMs and BMI (r = 0.25; p < 0.001) and age (r = 0.13; p < 0.01). Levels of d-ROM (>75th percentile: 420 AU) remained as an independent obesity predictor (odds ratio: 2.5; p < 0.001) in women. Continuous variables are reported as mean ± standard deviation.
Conclusion:
d-ROMs are a powerful obesity predictor, and could represent a reliable tool in obesity and cardiovascular risk evaluation, especially in women.
