Investigation of Oxidative Stress Status in Metabolic Syndrome Patients Using Lipid Peroxidation Biomarkers

Metabolic syndrome (MS) is a cluster of interrelated common clinical disorders, including obesity, insulin resistance, glucose intolerance, hypertension and dyslipidaemia. Elevatedoxidative stress has been suggested as the underlying causes in the development of MS. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between oxidative stress and metabolic syndrome (MS) among Malaysians and to assess the oxidative stress status in the syndrome using lipid peroxidation biomarkers. This cross-sectional study involved a total of 260 subjects (Mean±SD: 53±11 years, 66 Males) were randomly recruited and divided into five groups consisting of 52 patients for each group which are MS with newly diagnosed Diabetes Mellitus (MSDM), MS with Impaired Fasting Glucose (MSIFG), normoglycemia with MS (MSNG), central obesity without MS (OBXMS) and healthy subjects as a control group (NC).  Serum samples were analysed for malondialdehyde (MDA) and oxidized low density lipoprotein (Ox LDL). Detailed history taking and physical examination is performed to obtain relevant clinical data. Fasting blood samples of all subjects were collected, separated, stored and biochemical analysis were done to determine the levels of oxidative stress biomarkers in serum. Comparison of MDA levels between MS patients and NC showed that among the other 3 MS groups, MSDM had significantly higher level compared to NC (p<0.0001) and OB XMS (p<0.005). For Ox LDL, MSIFG had significantly higher level compared to NC and OBXMS (p<0.0001). In conclusion, this study clearly indicates that oxidative stress is the major contributor of Malaysian patients with metabolic syndrome with the evidence of increased level of lipid peroxidation biomarkers in human serum.