Serum total antioxidant capacity, uric acid tied to obesity in children

Serum uric acid (SUA) and total antioxidant capacity (sTAC) show a positive association with obesity in children, suggests a Mexico study.

A direct association was noted between sTAC and SUA (β, 0.905; p=0.012), while obesity positively correlated with both sTAC (β, 0.075; p<0.001) and SUA (β, 0.706; p<0.001).

In children with normal weight, sTAC negatively correlated with diastolic blood pressure (β, ‒8.458; p=0.026), whereas in those with obesity, it showed a positive association with insulin (β, 9.511; p=0.002) and the homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (β, 2.065; p=0.003).

Furthermore, SUA negatively correlated with total cholesterol (β, ‒4.062; p=0.003) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (β, ‒2.470; p=0.039) in normal-weight children and with high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (β, ‒1.306; p<0.01) in those with obesity.

“According to weight status, sTAC and SUA are associated with blood pressure, insulin resistance markers, and lipid profile,” the authors said.

In this cross-sectional study, the authors analysed anthropometric data, blood pressure, cardiometabolic traits, and SUA levels in 248 children with normal weight and 255 with obesity. They measured sTAC using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl method.

“STAC and SUA levels have been related to oxidative stress in metabolic diseases,” the authors said. “Nevertheless, the evidence in epidemiological studies is still scarce and inconsistent.”