title: Plasma total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in obese Malaysian subjects.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There is a pressing need to better understand the complex biochemical pathways that lead to the pathogenesis of obesity. Increased oxidative stress and decreased antioxidant capacity have been identified to be associated with obesity. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to determine the plasma total antioxidant capacity (TAC) levels of Malaysian subjects and to evaluate its potential association with obesity and related anthropometric measurements.
  
  
  METHODS
  Plasma TAC of 362 multi-ethnic Malaysian subjects from the Kampar Health Clinic (138 males, 224 females; 124 ethnic Malays, 152 Chinese, 86 Indians; 192 non-obese, 170 obese) was measured using Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) 96-well plate assay.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Plasma TAC was significantly lower in obese subjects (M +/- SE = 292 +/- 10.4 micromol/L) compared to non-obese subjects (397 +/- 8.58 micromol/L), whereas it was significantly higher in males and those in the 21-30 age group. Those with salty food preference and practising a strict vegetarian diet also had significantly higher plasma TAC. However, no association was found for other dietary habits (coffee intake) and lifestyle factors (physical activity, smoking). Plasma TAC was also significantly negatively correlated with diastolic blood pressure, waist and hip circumferences, weight, body mass index, total body fat, % subcutaneous fat, visceral fat level, resting metabolism and % skeletal muscle.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Plasma TAC was found to be associated with obesity, strict vegetarian practice, salty food preference and all obesity anthropometric indicators, except systolic blood pressure and pulse rate. Obese people have decreased plasma TAC indicating a compromised systemic antioxidant defence and increased oxidative stress.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Science, Faculty of Science, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) Perak Campus, 31900 Kampar, Perak, Malaysia.
authors.forename: S H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Lim
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Science, Faculty of Science, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) Perak Campus, 31900 Kampar, Perak, Malaysia.
authors.forename: S H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Fan
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Science, Faculty of Science, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) Perak Campus, 31900 Kampar, Perak, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Y H
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Say
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000032:analysis*; D001794:Blood Pressure; D001823:Body Composition; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight; D002681:China / Q000208:ethnology; D002839:Chromans; D014676:Diet, Vegetarian; D005006:Ethnicity; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000208:ethnology; D008019:Life Style; D008296:Malaysia / Q000208:ethnology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000097:blood*; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D012737:Sex Factors; D012982:Sodium, Dietary
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D002839:Chromans; D012982:Sodium, Dietary; C010643:6-hydroxy-2,5,7,8-tetramethylchroman-2-carboxylic acid