Obesity-related indicators and their relationship with serum antioxidant activity levels in Mexican adults

Introduction: Obesity has been associated with an oxidative process, however there are controversies regarding the potential role of circulating antioxidant activity attributed to non-protein compounds. Objective: The purpose of the present study was to examine the relation between antioxidant activity levels and obesity related-indicators in Mexican young adults. Methods: Anthropometric measures, serum lipids and uric acid were determined in 78 men and 90 women (a total of 168 individuals). Serum antioxidant activity in different fractions also was measured by using TEAC assay (TEAC(NP), TEAC(P) and TEAC(Total)). Results: TEAC(CP) was positively correlated (p<0.05) BMI (r=0.307), WC (r=0.322), LDL (r=0.274), TC (r=0.293), TG (r=0.409) and UA (r=0.441). The antioxidant activity measured as TEAC(NP) in individuals with obesity related-indicators was higher compared to those individuals without obesity-related indicators. When BMI, WC, HDL, LDL, TC, TG and UA were considered as obesity related-indicators, the higher the number of obesity related indicators (p<0.05) the higher the TEAC(NP) values. However, when TEAC(P) values decreased, the number of obesity related-indicators (p<0.05) increased. Conclusion: The positive association between TEAC(P) and obesity related-indicators suggests that apparently increase in TEAC(NP) may not always indicate a healthier condition.