Gender differences on oxidative stress markers and complement component C3 plasma values after an oral unsaturated...

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Research
• Metabolic Health
• Biochemistry

Background:

• Post-prandial lipaemia (PL), oxidative stress (OS), and complement component C3 (C3) are implicated in atherosclerosis.
• The post-prandial C3 response to unsaturated fat via oral fat load test (OFLT) is understudied.
• Investigating sex-based differences in post-OFLT responses is crucial for understanding atherosclerosis risk.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare post-prandial OS markers and C3 values between men and women after an OFLT using unsaturated fat.
• To analyze the temporal changes in OS and C3 following fat ingestion in a healthy cohort.

Main Methods:

• A cohort of 22 healthy individuals (11 men, 11 women) underwent an OFLT with unsaturated fat.
• Fasting and serial measurements (every 2h up to 8h) of OS markers and C3 were performed.
• Standardized assays were employed for all biochemical analyses.

Main Results:

• Men presented higher fasting C3, GSSG, and GSSG/GSH ratios than women.
• Post-prandial C3 and GSSG/GSH ratios remained significantly higher in men compared to women.
• Men showed a significant reduction in GSSG and GSSG/GSH post-OFLT, unlike women.

Conclusions:

• Men exhibit elevated fasting C3 and OS markers compared to women.
• Unsaturated fat OFLT induces a significant decrease in post-prandial OS markers in men, a response not observed in women.
• These findings highlight sex-specific metabolic and oxidative responses to dietary fat.