Markers of Oxidative Damage Are Not Elevated in Otherwise Healthy Individuals With the Metabolic Syndrome

OBJECTIVE The role of oxidative damage in the pathogenesis of metabolic syndrome is poorly understood. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS A detailed cross-sectional study was performed to assess the relationship between lipid oxidation products, γ-glutamyltransferase, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and phospholipase activities with respect to the metabolic status in a cohort of otherwise healthy individuals. RESULTS A total of 179 individuals (87 men and 92 women) aged 43 ± 14 years (mean ± SD) participated in this study. There were no differences in the levels of plasma F2-isoprostanes, hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acids, cholesterol oxidation products, and phospholipase activities in individuals with features of metabolic syndrome. In multivariate analyses, serum hs-CRP was a consistent independent predictor of metabolic syndrome. CONCLUSIONS Minimal changes were observed in multiple markers of oxidative damage in a well-characterized cohort of individuals with features of metabolic syndrome.