Oxidative stress and antioxidant vitamins in obese children

ABSTRACT

Oxidant-antioxidant status was investigated in a group of obese children in comparison with healthy subjects by determination of malondialdehyde [MDA], tocopherol, and ascorbic acid. Thirty five obese children [25 male and 10 female] mean age [9 +/- 4.4year] with BMI > 2SD of the mean for age and sex [BMI = 31.5 +/- 6.6]. A group of 30 healthy, age and sex matched children were used as a control group. Blood samples were collected from every subject and control after an overnight fast of which 2ml blood collected on heparin for plasma ascorbic acid [vitamin C] and 4ml blood collected into plain tube for serum tocopherol and malondialdehyde [MDA]. MDA was significantly higher in obese children compared to control [P=0.0001]. This was associated with significantly lower plasma vitamin E and vitamin C in obese children compared to control [P= 0.0001]. BMI was positively correlated with age and MDA and showed negative correlation with vitamin E and C. Severely obese children present a highly altered oxidant antioxidant status, which is alarming for the increased risk of complication so early intervention has been recommended by giving antioxidant, diet-control and exercise