Plasma GSH as Independent Antioxidant Factor of Metabolic Syndrome Lowering by a Lifestyle Modification Program

Abstract

Introduction: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is accompanied by pro-oxidative processes that might be reversed or attenuated by the physical exercise. Objective: To investigate the impact of a lifestyle modification program (LiSM) on antioxidant status and redox processes in MetS. Methodology: It was analyzed data from participants of the ongoing dynamic coort-study "Move for Health" during the period of 2009-2012. Fifty-seven subjects full filed the inclusion criteria of attending the 20wk-LiSM with nutritional counseling and supervised aerobic exercises. Assessment at baseline and end of LiSM were undetaken for anthropometric, clinical, dietary, cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and plasma-biochemistry data. Plasma hydrophilic total antioxidant performance (TAP) along with malondialdehyde (MDA) and total and oxidized (GSSG) glutathione were measured and reduced (GSH) glutathione was estimated. MetS was defined by NCEP(2005) criteria. Statistical significance was set at p <0,05. Findings: Primary outcomes after LiSM were the decreasing of BMI, WC and body fat and the increasing of HEI, CRF, HDL-c, GSH and plasma TAP. These changes were similar in both groups, MetS and non-MetS. MetS decreased by 16.4%. In the MetS group, the TAP variation during 20wk-LiSM correlated significantly with WC (r=-0.47), fasting blood glucose (r=-0.48) and MDA (r=-0.45) and, in non-MetS group TAP correlated with HDL-c (r=0.38) and GSH (r=0.45). After LiSM, the TAP-responsive (≥3% increased) subjects differed from the non-TAP-responsive (≤3%) by presenting increased values of CRF, HDL-c, uric acid and GSH, and decreased SBP, GSSG and GSSG/GSH ratio. The multiple-adjusted regression analysis pointed out the increased GSH as the only independent risk factor for TAP changes, during LiSM, either in presence or absence of MetS. Conclusion: Thus, this 20-wk LiSM changed the pro-antioxidant balance by modifying GSH redox status irrespective to the presence or absence of MetS.