Background: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is considered a public health problem worldwide. Recently, oxidative stress (OS) has been proposed as a factor related with the genesis of MetS. Different studies have reported decreased antioxidant defense, such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GRed) activities, and reduced glutathione (GSH) concentration, and, on the other hand, an increase in nitrotyrosine concentration in MetS patients. However, it is not known whether there is a direct association of antioxidant defense with MetS in a Mexican population. The aim of the study was to determine the relationship between antioxidant defense and MetS in Mexican subjects.
Materials and methods: The subjects were Mexican mestizos, who were anthropometrically, biochemically, and clinically characterized. MetS was diagnosed by National Cholesterol Education Program-Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP-ATP III)-modified criteria. Antioxidant defense was determined by activity of SOD, GPx, GRed, and GSH concentrations; as a marker of OS, nitrotyrosine concentration was determined.
Results: The study included 376 subjects, among whom 152 subjects had MetS and 224 were assigned to the non-MetS group. Statistical association was found between MetS and SOD activity (Odds ratio: 167.1; P < 0.01; adjusted by age, gender, and waist circumference). It is noteworthy that a significant correlation between antioxidant defense (SOD and GPx activities, and GSH) and different MetS components was found and between MetS and nitrotyrosine concentration (P < 0.05).
Conclusion: The results indicate that SOD activity is associated with MetS in Mexican subjects, allowing us to suggest that this enzyme plays an important role in the pathophysiology of MetS.