Loss of total and visceral adipose tissue mass predicts decreases in oxidative stress after weight-loss surgery

Abstract

It is not known whether there are mechanisms linking adipose tissue mass and increased oxidative stress in obesity. This study investigated associations between decreasing general and abdominal fat depots and oxidative stress during weight loss. Subjects were severely obese women who were measured serially at baseline and at 1, 6 (n = 30), and 24 months (n = 18) after bariatric surgery. Total fat mass (FAT) and volumes of visceral (VAT) and subcutaneous abdominal adipose tissue (SAT) were related to plasma concentrations of derivatives of reactive oxidative metabolites (dROMS), a measure of lipid peroxides and oxidative stress. After intervention, BMI significantly decreased, from 47.7 +/- 0.8 kg/m(2) to 43.3 +/- 0.8 kg/m(2) (1 month), 35.2 +/- 0.8 kg/m(2) (6 months), and 30.2 +/- 1.2 kg/m(2) (24 months). Plasma dROMS also significantly deceased over time. At baseline, VAT (r = 0.46), FAT (r = 0.42), and BMI (r = 0.37) correlated with 6-month decreases in dROMS. Similarly, at 1 month, VAT (r = 0.43) and FAT (r = 0.41) correlated with 6-month decreases in dROMS. Multiple regression analysis showed that relationships between VAT and dROMS were significant after adjusting for FAT mass. Increased plasma dROMS at baseline were correlated with decreased concentrations of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) at 1 and 6 months after surgery (r = -0.38 and -0.42). This study found longitudinal associations between general, and more specifically intra-abdominal adiposity, and systemic lipid peroxides, suggesting that adipose tissue mass contributes to oxidative stress.

Conflict of interest statement

DISCLOSURE

The authors declared no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1

Changes in systemic concentrations of lipid peroxides in severely obese subjects during 24 months after bariatric surgery. Plasma was collected and stored at baseline and 1, 6, and 24 months (n = 30, 28, 30, and 18, respectively) and assessed for lipid peroxides using the derivatives of reactive oxidative metabolites (dROMS) assay. *P < 0.05, ‡P < 0.0001 compared to baseline using paired Student’s t-tests.

Figure 2

Correlations between baseline measures of adiposity and changes in dROMS over 6 months after surgery. Pearson’s correlation coefficients (r) between percentage changes in plasma derivatives of reactive oxidative metabolites (dROMS) over 6 months and (a) preoperative body fat mass (FAT), (b) BMI, (c) body weight (WT), and (d) abdominal visceral adipose tissue volumes (VAT) were determined (n = 30). As indicated in the figure, all correlation coefficients were significant.

Figure 3

Pearson’s correlation coefficients (r) between percentage changes over 6 months in systemic dROMS and (a) body fat mass (FAT), (b) BMI, (c) body weight (WT), and (d) abdominal visceral adipose tissue volumes (VAT) at 1 month after surgery were determined (n = 29). As indicated in the figure, correlation coefficients between dROMS and VAT, FAT, and WT were significant.

Figure 4

Correlations between systemic concentrations of lipid peroxides and high-density lipoproteins (HDLs). Spearman’s correlation coefficients (r) were determined for preoperative plasma dROMS vs. plasma HDL concentrations at baseline and 1 and 6 months after surgery (n = 29, 27, and 29, respectively). As indicated in figure, correlations between baseline dROMS and HDL concentrations at 1 and 6 months after surgery were significant (P < 0.05).