The Impact of Rapid Weight Loss on Oxidative Stress Markers and the Expression of the Metabolic Syndrome in Obese Individuals

Objective . Obesity is linked with a state of increased oxidative stress, which plays an important role in the etiology of atherosclerosis and type 2 diabetes mellitus. The aim of our study was to evaluate the effect of rapid weight loss on oxidative stress markers in obese individuals with metabolic syndrome (MetS). Design and Methods . We measured oxidative stress markers in 40 obese subjects with metabolic syndrome (MetS+), 40 obese subjects without metabolic syndrome (MetS−), and 20 lean controls (LC) at baseline and after three months of very low caloric diet. Results . Oxidized low density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) levels decreased by 12% in MetS+ subjects, associated with a reduction in total cholesterol (TC), even after adjustment for age and sex. Lipoprotein associated phospholipase A 2 (Lp-PLA 2 ) activity decreased by 4.7% in MetS+ subjects, associated with a drop in LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C), TC, and insulin levels. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that a model including ox-LDL, LpPLA 2 activity, and myeloperoxidase (MPO) improved prediction of MetS status among obese individuals compared to each oxidative stress marker alone. Conclusions . Oxidative stress markers were predictive of MetS in obese subjects, suggesting a higher oxidative stress. Rapid weight loss resulted in a decline in oxidative stress markers, especially in MetS+ patients.