OXIDATIVE STRESS AND INFLAMMATION LEVELS ARE INCREASED IN OBESE SUBJECTS

Objective: The adipose tissue is involved in the generation of oxidative stress in obese subjects via production of adipokines which are a source of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Low-grade chronic inflammation and the depletion in antioxidants encountered in obese subjects are also involved in the crosstalk between oxidative stress and obesity. We aimed to evaluate oxidative stress levels and inflammation markers in 85 obese patients vs. 30 healthy, non-obese controls. Design and method: Oxidative stress was evaluated using a CR3000 analyzer via the FORT (Free Oxygen Radicals Testing for ROS quantification) and FORD (Free Oxygen Radical Defence for the measurement of antioxidant levels) assays from a single drop of capillary blood. Results: FORT values were increased and FORD values were decreased in obese patients vs. controls (Table 1). Fibrinogen levels were increased in obese patients vs. controls: 405.78 ± 36.11 mg/dL vs. 267.97 ± 36.64 mg/dL in controls, p-value < 0.0001. CRP levels were increased in obese patients vs. controls: 6.75 ± 0.79 mg/dL vs. 3.24 ± 0.58 mg/dL in controls, p-value < 0.0001. Serum ferritin levels were increased in obese patients vs. controls 321.30 ± 18.85 ng/mL vs. 158.60 ± 59.09 ng/mL in controls, p-value < 0.0001. We recorded positive weak correlations between FORT – CRP (r = 0.03) and FORT – ferritin (r = 0.03), very weak correlations between FORT – fibrinogen (r = 0.06). The correlation between FORD – fibrinogen was very weak and negative (r = -0.06). Conclusions: Oxidative stress and inflammation markers (fibrinogen, CRP, serum ferritin) were increased and antioxidant levels were decreased in obese subjects versus controls. Further studies are needed to investigate the crosstalk between obesity, oxidative stress and inflammation and to clarify to which extent these findings can be translated into the prevention and management of obesity.