Oxidative stress is associated with visceral adipose tissue and subclinical atherosclerosis in a healthy multi-ethnic population.

Abstract

Oxidative stress plays an important role in the development of atherosclerosis. Excess visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and increased carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) are risk factors for coronary artery disease. We tested the hypothesis that VAT and IMT were associated with systemic oxidative stress. Healthy men and women (n = 565) matched for ethnicity (Aboriginal, Chinese, European, and South Asian) were recruited. Plasma malondialdehyde, a biomarker of oxidative stress, was measured as thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS). VAT and IMT were determined by computerized tomography and ultrasound scans, respectively. Plasma TBARS levels correlated with VAT and total atheroma burden (sum of IMT area and plaque area) in the entire cohort. When stratified by ethnicity, plasma TBARS levels correlated with distinct body composition and arterial measures in different ethnic populations with more associations present amongst Chinese and Europeans relative to Aboriginals and South Asians. VAT was associated with plasma TBARS levels independent of age, sex, ethnicity, smoking, and body mass index. Plasma TBARS levels were associated with IMT, the presence of plaques, and total atheroma burden, independent of age, sex, ethnicity, smoking, body mass index, and VAT. The association with total atheroma burden remained significant even when adjusted for apolipoprotein B. Results from the present study indicate that oxidative stress is positively associated with VAT as well as diffuse and focal carotid atherosclerosis in apparently healthy men and women.

• Authors: Scott A Lear, Lindsei K Sarna, Timothy J Siow, G B John Mancini, Yaw L Siow, Karmin O
• Journal: Applied physiology, nutrition, and metabolism = Physiologie appliquee, nutrition et metabolisme (Appl Physiol Nutr Metab) Vol. 37 Issue 6 Pg. 1164-70 (Dec 2012) ISSN: 1715-5312 [Print] Canada
• PMID: 23057578 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances
• Malondialdehyde

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Asian People
• Body Composition (physiology)
• Body Mass Index
• Carotid Arteries (pathology)
• Carotid Artery Diseases (ethnology, pathology, physiopathology)
• Cohort Studies
• Ethnicity
• Female
• Humans
• Intra-Abdominal Fat (physiopathology)
• Male
• Malondialdehyde (blood)
• Middle Aged
• Oxidative Stress (physiology)
• Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances (analysis)
• Tunica Intima (pathology)
• Tunica Media (pathology)
• White People