Pages: 26-34

Abstract

Obesity is emerging as one of the fastest growing pandemics in modern times and is associated with various health related problems. Its prevalence is gradually increased in Bangladesh especially in urban areas. As there is no available reported work and systematically documented data regarding the serum antioxidant and lipid peroxidation levels in Bangladeshi obese patients, so the aim of this study was to examine the relationship between serum antioxidant vitamin C and lipid peroxidation (MDA) levels and thereby, pathophysiological correlation was established. In this study, 100 obese patients and 100 non-obese subjects were recruited. Demographic, anthropometric and clinical data were collected at routine visits. Obesity was determined by the body mass index (BMI). Serum antioxidant vitamin (vitamin C) was determined by UV-spectrophotometric method. The study showed that the antioxidant vitamin (C) was comparatively lower (p>0.05) in the obese group than in control subjects and lipid peroxidation (MDA) was significantly higher (p<0.05) in obese group than in the control subjects. Pearson’s correlation analysis was carried out to determine the relationship between variables. In the patient groups, there was a positive relationship between Age and BMI (r = 0.010, p = 0.925); Age and MDA (r = 0.078, p = 0.440) but an inverse relationship between Age and Vitamin C (r = -0.052, p = 0.606); BMI and MDA (r = -0.029, p = 0.778); BMI and Vitamin C (r = -0.158, p = 0.117). In the control group, there was a positive relationship between Age and MDA (r = 0.123, p = 0.221); BMI and MDA (r = 0.007, p = 0.942); BMI and Vitamin C (r = 0.152, p = 0.132) but inverse relationship between Age and BMI (r = -0.278, p = 0.005); Age and vitamin C (r = -0.269, p = 0.007). We found decreased serum antioxidant (vitamin C) and elevated lipid peroxidation (MDA) in obese individuals than the controls.