Low plasma antioxidants and normal plasma B vitamins and homocysteine in patients with severe obesity.
BACKGROUND
Obesity is among the well-established risk factors for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. However, the exact mechanisms are not well understood. Low concentrations of vitamins (fat soluble antioxidants and B vitamins) are linked to accelerated atherosclerosis through increased oxidative stress and homocysteine.


OBJECTIVE
To compare plasma antioxidant vitamins (carotenoids and vitamin E), B vitamins (folic acid and B12) and homocysteine--all linked to increased cardiovascular morbidity--between patients with severe obesity and lean control subjects.


METHODS
We investigated plasma carotenoids, vitamin E, folic acid, B12, and homocysteine in 25 obese patients and their age-matched controls (body mass index 38 +/- 3 vs. 21 +/- 2 kg/m2), respectively), related to BMI and plasma insulin.


RESULTS
Patients with obesity had normal B vitamins and a non-significant decrease in plasma homocysteine as compared to controls (9.4 +/- 2.6 vs. 11.4 +/- 4.8 mumol/L, P = 0.07). There was a significant decrease in both plasma carotenoids and vitamin E (0.69 +/- 0.32 vs. 1.25 +/- 0.72 and 24 +/- 10 vs. 33 +/- 14 micrograms/ml, respectively; P < 0.01). Both vitamins were inversely related to BMI and plasma insulin, which was significantly increased in patients with obesity (22 +/- 21 vs. 6 +/- 2 microU/ml, P < 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
Obese patients with BMI above 35 kg/m2 show low plasma antioxidants (carotenoids and vitamin E). This may result in increased oxidative stress and consequently enhanced atherosclerosis in these patients.
Department of Medicine A, HaEmek Medical Center, Afula, Israel.
Alla
A
Reitman
Ilana
I
Friedrich
Ami
A
Ben-Amotz
Yishai
Y
Levy
D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002338:Carotenoids / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000097:blood; D006710:Homocysteine / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000097:blood*; D014805:Vitamin B 12 / Q000097:blood; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000097:blood; D014815:Vitamins / Q000097:blood*
D014815:Vitamins; D006710:Homocysteine; D014810:Vitamin E; D002338:Carotenoids; D005492:Folic Acid; D014805:Vitamin B 12