Assessment Of The Relationship Between Oxidative Stress, Antioxidant Status, Inflammation And Cardiorespiratory Fitness In The Obese

Abstract

Purpose Increasing evidence from epidemiological studies suggest that measures of chronic inflammation are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disorders, including ischemic heart disease, stroke and other thromboembolism. Oxidative stress may play a role in the development of the inflamed state, and previous studies have shown a possible protective effect of high levels of cardiorespiratory fitness. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between oxidative stress, markers of inflammation and cardiorespiratory fitness (VO2max) in the obese. Methods A total of four hundred eighty three obese individuals (mean age 43.34 ± 8.32) were assessed for VO2max, oxidative stress as measured photometrically in the blood with a Free Radical Analysis System (FRAS), C-Reactive protein (CRP), which was used as a measure of inflammation and Body Defense Score (BDS), which was used as an indicator of antioxidant status and measured non-invasively using Raman Spectroscopy (Biophotonic Scanner, Pharmanex. Descriptive data is shown below in table 1Table 1Reults Body weight was negatively correlated with FRAS (r=−0.199, p=0.009) and BDS (r=−0.171, p=0.002), but not CRP. Additionally CRP was positively correlated with FRAS (r=0.551, p<0.001) and negatively with VO2max (r=−0.260, p<0.001). No other associations among these variables were observed. Conclusions These data support the concept that obesity stimulates an inflammatory response. Part of the inflammatory response may be due to oxidative stress. The strong negative correlation between body weight and BDS suggests that a diet rich in fruits and vegetables or antioxidant supplementation may be particularly important in obese individuals. Increased fitness may also protect against inflammation in these individuals. Work Supported by: Pharmanex