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Elevated BP predicted by lower antioxidant capacity among children with obesity
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Among children with obesity, there is a negative association between total antioxidant capacity and systolic blood pressure and pulse pressure, according to findings published in Nutrition, Metabolism and Cardiovascular Diseases.
“Hypertension is a frequent complication of obesity from childhood onwards and is a strong causal predictor of long-term cardiovascular morbidity and mortality,” Claudio Maffeis, MD, a full professor in the department of surgery, dentistry, pediatrics and gynecology at the University of Verona School of Medicine and Surgery in Italy, and colleagues wrote. “Therefore, understanding the mechanisms linking childhood obesity to increased blood pressure would be of great importance to guide research on potential options to prevent or treat hypertension in the child with obesity, beyond lifestyle changes and weight loss.”
Maffeis and colleagues evaluated BP, pulse pressures, total antioxidant capacity, total triglycerides, total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, fasting plasma glucose and fasting serum insulin in 152 children with obesity (mean age, 11.9 years; 48% girls). The researchers reported that 23% of the cohort had elevated BP and 25% had hypertension. Mean total antioxidant capacity, as measured by a commercial testing kit, was 1.11 mMol/Trolox equivalents.
The researchers observed inverse associations between total antioxidant capacity and systolic BP (r = –0.29; P < .001) and between total antioxidant capacity and pulse pressure (r = –0.3; P < .001). In addition, the researchers noted that total antioxidant capacity predicted systolic BP (beta = –5.8; P = .003) and pulse pressure (beta = –6.6; P = .002). The researchers also stated that there was a negative association between total antioxidant capacity and systolic elevated BP plus hypertension (OR = 0.4; 95% CI, 0.1-0.9).
“Our study provides evidence that the systemic oxidative status may influence the systolic blood pressure and the pulse pressure of children and adolescents with obesity,” the researchers wrote. “Trials targeting the antioxidant capacity of children and adolescents with obesity to improve their blood pressure are warranted.” – by Phil Neuffer
Disclosure: Endocrine Today could not confirm relevant financial disclosures at the time of publication.
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