Is obesity associated with oxidative stress in children?
OBJECTIVE
We evaluated the presence of oxidative stress in obese children without co-morbidities.


METHODS
The study population included 68 children (30 girls, 38 boys), between 6 and 14 years of age. The levels of markers of oxidative damage (malondialdehyde [MDA], and plasma carbonyl groups [CG]) and measures of antioxidant defense, such as the enzyme glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and low molecular scavengers (erythrocyte-reduced glutathione [GSH], alpha-tocopherol and beta-carotene) were determined. Children were categorized in groups by the standard deviation score of body mass index (SDS-BMI). Twenty children were non-obese (SDS-BMI< or =1.33), and the 48 obese children (SDS-BMI> or =2) were further divided into two groups: SDS-BMI> or =3 (22 children) and > or =2 SDS-BMI<3 (26 children).


RESULTS
The levels of MDA and CG were significantly higher (p<0.05) in children with SDS-BMI> or =3. The GPx activity was increased, while the GSH concentration was lower in obese children compared with non-obese children (p<0.01). There were no differences in serum alpha-tocopherol and beta-carotene levels between groups. MDA was the sole marker of oxidative damage that was positively correlated with SDS-BMI, (r=0.35, p=0.015), and negatively with high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) (r=- 0.32, p=0.027). GPx was inversely related to total cholesterol (r=- 0.34, p=0.019). In multiple regression analysis, we confirmed that SDS-BMI and HDL-C were determinants of MDA.


CONCLUSIONS
Severe childhood obesity is associated with oxidative stress. Thus, providing foods with high antioxidant capacity in addition to a hypocaloric diet is crucial for the treatment of obese children.
Codoñer-Franch
Pilar
P
Department of Pediatrics, Dr Peset University Hospital, Valencia, Spain. pilar.codoner@uv.es
Boix-García
Laura
L
Simó-Jordá
Raquel
R
Del Castillo-Villaescusa
Cristina
C
Maset-Maldonado
Jesús
J
Valls-Bellés
Victoria
V
D000293:Adolescent; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D015992:Body Mass Index; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005978:Glutathione / Q000097:blood; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008315:Malondialdehyde / Q000097:blood; D009765:Obesity / Q000097:blood* / Q000503:physiopathology; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D011446:Prospective Studies; D050050:Protein Carbonylation; D013030:Spain; D024502:alpha-Tocopherol / Q000097:blood; D019207:beta Carotene / Q000097:blood
D000975:Antioxidants; D015415:Biomarkers; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D019207:beta Carotene; D008315:Malondialdehyde; D002784:Cholesterol; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase; D005978:Glutathione; D024502:alpha-Tocopherol