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AIMS Allergy and Immunology

2025, Volume 9, Issue 2: 56-69. doi: 10.3934/Allergy.2025004
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Research article

Association of low-grade inflammation and oxidative stress with metabolic dysfunction in healthy obese individuals

  • Department of Medical Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Medicine, University of Duhok, Duhok, 42001, Kurdistan Region, Iraq
  • Published: 30 April 2025

  • Obesity has emerged as a global epidemic and is a major risk factor for various chronic conditions, including insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. We aimed to investigate the validity of soluble suppression of tumorigenicity 2 (sST2), high sensitivity c-reactive protein (hs-CRP), malondialdehyde (MDA), and 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) as potential biomarkers for low-grade inflammation and oxidative stress in obese individuals. Moreover, to explore their association with metabolic dysfunctions. A recruited cohort of 90 subjects of both genders were categorized as obese (BMI BMI > 30 kg/m2). In addition to the glycemic and lipid profile, a panel of inflammatory (sST2 and hs-CRP) and oxidative stress biomarkers (DMA and 8-OHdG) were assessed using ELISA. Body Mass Index (BMI) and the mean diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were significantly higher in the obese subjects than in controls (p = 0.0001 and 0.03, respectively). Fasting blood sugar (FBS) and triglyceride (TG) were significantly higher in the study group (p = 0.01 and 0.001) compared to the control group. LDL showed substantial elevation in obese subjects (p = 0.001), but HDL was remarkably reduced (p = 0.02). The hs-CRP and sST2 levels were significantly elevated (p = 0.001) in obese individuals, and both MDA and 8-OHdG indicated a similar pattern (p = 0.001 and 0.000). BMI exhibited a positive correlation with all assessed inflammatory and oxidative stress biomarkers. In contrast, FBS and triglyceride (TG) demonstrated a significant association with hs-CRP, 8-OHdG, and MDA, but not with sST2. Furthermore, LDL, VLDL, and LDL/HDL showed a statistically significant positive correlation with hs-CRP and MDA. The elevated levels of all mediators were closely associated with metabolic dysfunction, emphasizing the interplay between obesity and low-grade chronic inflammation. This also highlights the potential for increased cardiovascular risk over time.

    Citation: Kazheen Majeed, Hazhmat Ali. Association of low-grade inflammation and oxidative stress with metabolic dysfunction in healthy obese individuals[J]. AIMS Allergy and Immunology, 2025, 9(2): 56-69. doi: 10.3934/Allergy.2025004

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  • Obesity has emerged as a global epidemic and is a major risk factor for various chronic conditions, including insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. We aimed to investigate the validity of soluble suppression of tumorigenicity 2 (sST2), high sensitivity c-reactive protein (hs-CRP), malondialdehyde (MDA), and 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) as potential biomarkers for low-grade inflammation and oxidative stress in obese individuals. Moreover, to explore their association with metabolic dysfunctions. A recruited cohort of 90 subjects of both genders were categorized as obese (BMI BMI > 30 kg/m2). In addition to the glycemic and lipid profile, a panel of inflammatory (sST2 and hs-CRP) and oxidative stress biomarkers (DMA and 8-OHdG) were assessed using ELISA. Body Mass Index (BMI) and the mean diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were significantly higher in the obese subjects than in controls (p = 0.0001 and 0.03, respectively). Fasting blood sugar (FBS) and triglyceride (TG) were significantly higher in the study group (p = 0.01 and 0.001) compared to the control group. LDL showed substantial elevation in obese subjects (p = 0.001), but HDL was remarkably reduced (p = 0.02). The hs-CRP and sST2 levels were significantly elevated (p = 0.001) in obese individuals, and both MDA and 8-OHdG indicated a similar pattern (p = 0.001 and 0.000). BMI exhibited a positive correlation with all assessed inflammatory and oxidative stress biomarkers. In contrast, FBS and triglyceride (TG) demonstrated a significant association with hs-CRP, 8-OHdG, and MDA, but not with sST2. Furthermore, LDL, VLDL, and LDL/HDL showed a statistically significant positive correlation with hs-CRP and MDA. The elevated levels of all mediators were closely associated with metabolic dysfunction, emphasizing the interplay between obesity and low-grade chronic inflammation. This also highlights the potential for increased cardiovascular risk over time.



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    Acknowledgments


    The authors would like to express their profound appreciation to Dr. Bizav Rasheed and Ms. Shayma Omar for their invaluable collaboration in the laboratory analysis of sample measurements. The authors extend their profound gratitude to Professor Dr. Qais Al-Ismaeel for his meticulous analysis of the manuscript and thorough evaluation of its linguistic accuracy.

    Conflict of interest


    The authors declare no conflict of interest.

    Author contributions


    The Majeed K collected data and specimens and conducted the laboratory measurements. Majeed K and Ali H analyzed the data and wrote the first draft. Ali H designed the study, edited the manuscript, and supervised the project.

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