Markers of oxidative stress in postmenopausal women with metabolic syndrome

Abstract

During the postmenopausal period, there are metabolic alterations that predispose individuals to metabolic syndrome (MS), oxidative stress (OS), and the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases. We aimed to compare the concentrations of OS markers in postmenopausal women with and without MS. Malondialdehyde, carbonyl groups, and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) were quantified. We conducted a cross-sectional study: Group 1 (n = 42) included women without MS, and Group 2 (n = 58) comprised women with MS. Participants’ age was similar between groups. Glucose, insulin, the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance, triglycerides, uric acid, and body mass index were significantly lower in postmenopausal women without MS. OS markers were significantly lower in Group 1 vs. Group 2: malondialdehyde, 31.32 ± 14.93 vs. 40.27 ± 17.62 pmol MDA/mg dry weight (p = .01); protein carbonylation, 6325 ± 1551 vs. 7163 ± 1029 pmol PC/mg protein (p = .0003); and TAC, 1497 ± 297.3 vs. 1619 ± 278.8 pmol Trolox equivalent/mg protein (p = .041). OS markers were significantly higher in postmenopausal women with MS.

Impact statement

• What is already known on this subject? Oxidative stress has been implicated in numerous disease processes; however, information on the relationship between oxidative stress and metabolic syndrome among postmenopausal women remains limited.

• What do the results of this study add? Our results indicate that in postmenopausal Mexican women, oxidative stress markers were significantly lower in those without metabolic syndrome, whereas total antioxidant capacity was higher in those with metabolic syndrome, which could be explained as an antioxidant defense mechanism capable of neutralising excess oxidative damage markers.

• What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? This study is of interest to a broad audience because it compares the concentrations of oxidative stress markers in postmenopausal women with and without metabolic syndrome. Our study could support intervention with supplements or foods rich in antioxidants as lifestyle modifications in postmenopausal women with metabolic syndrome.

Keywords:

• Oxidative stress
• postmenopause
• metabolic syndrome
• protein damage
• total antioxidant capacity
• malondialdehyde

Ethical approval

The study was conducted according to the guidelines of the Declaration of Helsinki, and approved by the Institutional Review Board (or Ethics Committee) of Instituto Nacional de Perinatología, ‘Isidro Espinosa de los Reyes’, grant number 3210-10209-01-574-17. and February 20, 2017.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data availability statement

The datasets generated during and/or analysed during the present study are not publicly available but are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

Additional information

Funding

This research was funded by Instituto Nacional de Perinatología, ‘Isidro Espinosa de los Reyes’, grant number 3210-10209-01-574-17.