RESUMO
Serum sialic acid levels are abnormally high in pathological states that exhibit tissue destruction, tissue proliferation or inflammation. We measured total serum sialic acid levels in 139 women and 125 men. Subjects were divided into quartiles according to their body mass index (BMI): Q1 (18-24.9 kg/m(2)), Q2 (25-29.9 kg/m(2)), Q3 (30-39.9 kg/m(2)) and Q4 (> 40 kg/m(2)). The patients in Q1 constituted the control group. Serum sialic acid levels of subjects in Q2, Q3 and Q4 were significantly higher than those in Q1. Higher BMI quartiles also were associated with higher levels of serum glucose, insulin, total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, malondialdehyde levels, waist circumference, blood pressure and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance in both women and men. Lower BMI quartiles were associated with higher levels of serum HDL-cholesterol levels in both women and men. We found positive associations among serum sialic acid levels, BMI and oxidative stress. Serum sialic acid also is related to some conventional cardiovascular risk factors including elevated lipid profile, increased blood pressure, increased serum glucose and insulin levels, and insulin resistance in obese people.
