CORRELATIONS BETWEEN OBESITY ANTROPOMETRIC MARKERS, ADIPOCYTOKINES AND MONOCYTES OXIDATIVE STRESS STATUS IN TYPE 2 DIABETIC PATIENTS

Adipose tissue is linked to cardiovascular and metabolic complications of obesity by increased local production of adipocytokines that may lead to increased oxidative stress and endothelial dysfunction. The aim of this study was to evaluate the pro-oxidant and antioxidant balance on peripheral mononuclear cells in overweight/obese diabetic patients. Two groups of subjects were selected: one with type 2 diabetes mellitus (group DM, n=60) and a control group (group M, n=30). The first group was divided in two subgroups, according to their body mass index (overweight group, with BMI 25-29.9 kg/m(2) and obese group, with BMI >= 30 kg/m(2)). The monocyte capacity to release oxidative radicals and to neutralize them was determined by measuring the NADPH oxidase activity and, respectively, the activity of the intracellular antioxidant enzyme paraoxonase2 (PON2). Microalbuminuria was determinated by measuring the urinary albumin excretion rate, while serum leptin and adiponectin levels were determined by ELISA methods. All the determined parameters were modified significantly in the diabetic patients versus control. Comparing the obese diabetic patients with the overweight diabetics, increased NADPH oxidase activity (p=0.005) was measured. PON2 activity was similar in subgroups, but much lower than in control (p<0.001). Serum leptin (for p<0.05) was correlated with the visceral fat (r=0.55), with the monocyte NADPH oxidase activity (r=0.39) and with microalbuminuria (r=0.31), while adiponectin was negatively correlated with the level of visceral fat (r=-0.27). This study emphasizes the monocyte's pro-oxidant/antioxidant imbalance in obese diabetic patients. Low monocyte PON2 activity and high NADPH oxidase activity are influenced by the obesity degree and by serum adipocytokines levels.