title: Increased iron levels and lipid peroxidation in a Mediterranean population of Spain.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Many chronic diseases are adversely affected by elevated iron levels. It has been speculated that this relationship is mediated by increased oxidative stress, due to the ability of iron to generate reactive oxygen species. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between elevated iron levels and lipid peroxidation in Caucasian adults residing in the north-eastern Mediterranean region of Spain.
  
  
  METHODS
  This cross-sectional case-control study included 300 subjects: 150 adults displaying elevated iron levels (cases) selected from a representative sample of our general population and 150 age- and sex-matched adults exhibiting normal iron levels (controls). Dietary assessment (3-day food records), iron biomarkers (serum iron, ferritin and transferrin saturation) and lipid profile were determined. Elevated iron levels were defined by high serum ferritin (SF>110 μg/L in women and>200 μg/L in men) and/or transferrin saturation (TS)>45%. Oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL) plasma levels were measured, and oxLDL/LDL-cholesterol ratio was calculated to estimate lipid peroxidation. Multiple linear regression (MLR) models were applied.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Individuals with elevated serum iron levels showed increased oxLDL/LDL ratio, but not oxLDL levels, compared to control subjects (20·92 ± 4·89 U/mmol vs. 19·72 ± 3·573 U/mmol, P = 0·028). These results were further confirmed by the regression models adjusted for demographic characteristics, diet, lipid profile and inflammation. Importantly, higher serum levels of triglycerides, LDL-cholesterol and lower intake of Vitamin E increased lipid peroxidation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In our general population, we have observed that higher circulating levels of iron, measured by serum ferritin and/or TS, increased lipid peroxidation (measured by oxLDL/LDL ratio).
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Nutrition and Public Health Unit, Research Group in Nutrition and Mental Health (NUTRISAM), Institut d'Investigació Sanitària Pere Virgili (IISPV), Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Reus, Spain.
authors.forename: Nuria
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Aranda
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Nutrition and Public Health Unit, Research Group in Nutrition and Mental Health (NUTRISAM), Institut d'Investigació Sanitària Pere Virgili (IISPV), Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Reus, Spain.
authors.forename: Jose Candido
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Fernandez-Cao
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Nutrition and Public Health Unit, Research Group in Nutrition and Mental Health (NUTRISAM), Institut d'Investigació Sanitària Pere Virgili (IISPV), Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Reus, Spain.
authors.forename: Monica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tous
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Nutrition and Public Health Unit, Research Group in Nutrition and Mental Health (NUTRISAM), Institut d'Investigació Sanitària Pere Virgili (IISPV), Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Reus, Spain.|Unitat de Suport a la Recerca Tarragona-Reus, Institut Universitari d'Investigació en Atenció Primària Jordi Gol, Tarragona, Spain.
authors.forename: Victoria
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Arija
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000378:metabolism*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005293:Ferritins / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007501:Iron / Q000378:metabolism*; D019190:Iron Overload / Q000378:metabolism*; D016014:Linear Models; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D019083:Mediterranean Region; D008875:Middle Aged; D013030:Spain; D014168:Transferrin / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL; D014168:Transferrin; C099252:oxidized low density lipoprotein; D005293:Ferritins; D007501:Iron
keywords: Elevated iron levels; lipid peroxidation; oxLDL/LDL-cholesterol ratio; oxidative stress; oxidized low-density lipoprotein