title: A biomarker of oxidative stress as a nontraditional risk factor in obese subjects.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Oxidative stress has been postulated as an additive factor linking obesity to cardiovascular disease.
  
  
  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.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  d-ROMs are a powerful obesity predictor, and could represent a reliable tool in obesity and cardiovascular risk evaluation, especially in women.
authors.affiliation: Fondazione G Monasterio CNR Regione Toscana, Pisa, Italy. cristina.vassalle@ftgm.it
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Vassalle
authors.forename: Luisella
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Vigna
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bianchi
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Maffei
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Novembrino
authors.forename: Rachele
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: De Giuseppe
authors.forename: Federica
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: de Liso
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vannucci
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tirelli
authors.forename: Rita
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Maiavacca
authors.forename: Fabrizia
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Bamonti
mesh_terms: D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000378:metabolism*; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species