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 A₂ (Lp-PLA₂) 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, LpPLA₂ 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.