The oxidative balance score (OBS), wherein higher OBSs indicate lower oxidative stress, was designed to assess a composite measure of multiple pro-oxidant and antioxidant effects on an individual's oxidative stress status. This study aimed to evaluate whether OBSs were inversely associated with urinary levels of 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG)-an oxidative stress marker-among Japanese adults. This cross-sectional study was based on data obtained during 2010-2012. Overall, 7552 participants from the J-MICC Study Saga who answered a self-administered food frequency questionnaire were recruited for the final analysis. OBSs were calculated from 11 pro-oxidant and antioxidant lifestyle factors, including dietary intake, physical activity, and alcohol and smoking status. Urinary 8-OHdG values were corrected by creatinine level (ng/mg creatinine). Our findings revealed a higher total OBS was significantly associated with lower urinary 8-OHdG/creatinine levels after adjustment for covariates in men and women (p for trend < 0.01 in both sexes). We performed a multiple regression analysis of the association between OBSs and urinary 8-OHdG/creatinine levels stratified by age, body mass index (BMI), and menopausal status and found consistent negative associations in most groups for both sexes. No significant differences in the 60-64 age group for women (standardized β = -0.09, p = 0.13) or BMI < 18.5 kg/m2 for men (standardized β = -0.18, p = 0.17) were observed. A higher OBS had a strong inverse association with urinary 8-OHdG/creatinine levels in men and women among Japanese adults. The OBS might be a useful tool for evaluating the roles of oxidative stress-related lifestyle factors, including diet.
Keywords: Japanese; antioxidant; oxidative balance score; urinary 8-OHdG.