Circulating Plasma Free Fatty Acids, Insulin Resistance and Metabolic Markers in Obese Women

Abstract

Objectives:Elevation of free fatty acids (FFAs) in serum is an importantrisk factor for metabolic changes.Conversely, the relationship between obesity and metabolic abnormalities, and FFAsis not yet completely understood.Thus,we aimed in this study to explore the relationship and the association between insulin resistance (IR), metabolic markers and the variation inplasmaFFAs among the obese women. Methods:This study included fifty obese women aged 25–35 years and has insulin resistance (IR)in addition to fifty age-matched healthy normal weightwomen served as control group.Blood was withdrawn after twelve hours fasting;fasting blood glucose, lipidsand plasma insulinwere estimated;IR was assessedvia the Homeostasis Model Assessment-Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR).Fatty acids in plasma were measured by HPLC using UV detector that was set at 200 nm.Indeed, anthropometric measurements was performed . Results:Lipid profile, fasting blood sugar, insulin resistance, oleic acids (OA), linoleic acid (LA), arachidonic acid (AA) and anthropometric measurements were significantly increased in IR women compared to control. Whereas, the mean value levels of alpha-linolenicacid(ALA)was significantly decreased in IR women compare to controls. Conclusion:lower plasma levels of ALA and higher levels of AA, OA, LA were significantly associated with risk of IR and metabolic disorder markers in obese women.These results might explain the positive benefits of foods rich with poly unsaturated fatty acids (PUFA).Obesity and IR may be associated with the alterations in composition of the circulating fatty acid.These findings underscore the potential role of PUFA in the metabolic syndrome pathogenesis.