Enhanced cardiovascular risk and altered oxidative status in elders with moderate excessive body fat

Aging and obesity are linked to oxidative stress. Oxidative stress may mediate age-related cardiovascular diseases. Although the body mass index (kg/m2) defines obesity (≥30) and overweight (25-29.9), it may fail to detect crucial differences in body fat content in elders. Consequently, we measured body fatness in 42 healthy elders and evaluated their cardiovascular risk factors and the extent of their physical activity. We assessed plasma, erythrocytes, and saliva oxidative stress biomarkers in this population. A higher fat mass was associated with a less active lifestyle, more metabolic syndrome components, an enhanced Framingham 10-year risk score, and augmented insulin resistance. Individuals with excessive body fat had significantly less oral peroxidase enzymes activity than those with normal body fat. Erythrocyte susceptibility to oxidative hemolysis, previously reported to be elevated with physical activity, was marginally lower in the higher fat group. Other biomarkers of oxidative stress in saliva, plasma, and erythrocytes were similar in both groups. A 6% elevation in body fat with a less active lifestyle and an increased cardiovascular risk is associated with a decline in salivary anti-oxidative activity. Such reduced activity may contribute to deteriorating oral health in obese elders. Thus, this study provides novel information on the contribution of excessive body fat to oxidative status and cardiovascular risk in old age.