A matter of fat: insulin resistance and oxidative stress

Background Obesity is linked to insulin resistance (IR), which can lead to type 2 diabetes mellitus. Oxidative stress present in early obesity may favor the progression to comorbid conditions. Objective To examine the relationship between oxidative stress biomarkers and the severity of IR in a group of obese children. Methods Forty obese children with a body mass index (BMI) Z-score ≥ 2 were divided into two groups using the median obtained for the homeostasis model assessment of IR (HOMA-IR). Anthropometric parameters (including body fat composition by bioelectrical impedance) and biochemical parameters were assessed. The following biomarkers of oxidative stress were measured: malondialdeh…