Obesity-associated redox shift in thiol–disulfide homeostasis: A community-based study of metabolic syndrome
Muzaffer Katar1, Yalcin Onder2, Riza Citil2, Salim Neselioglu3, Ozcan Erel31Department of Medical Biochemistry, Gaziosmanpasa University Faculty of Medicine, Tokat, Türkiye2Department of Public Health, Gaziosmanpasa University Faculty of Medicine, Tokat, Türkiye
3Department of Medical Biochemistry, Ankara Yıldırım Beyazit University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Türkiye
INTRODUCTION: Oxidative stress is a central feature of metabolic syndrome (MetS); however, the relationship between thiol–disulfide homeostasis and the clinical manifestations of MetS remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the association between thiol–disulfide balance and MetS, focusing on clinical and anthropometric parameters.
METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 1012 adults were categorized according to MetS status. Serum native thiol, total thiol, and disulfide levels were measured, and ratio-based indices were calculated. Anthropometric measurements and blood pressure were recorded. Group comparisons, correlation analyses, and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed.
RESULTS: Individual thiol parameters did not differ significantly between the groups. However, the disulfide-to-native thiol ratio was significantly higher in individuals with MetS and remained independently associated with MetS after adjustment for age, sex, and body mass index. Significant but modest correlations were observed between thiol–disulfide indices and obesity-related anthropometric measures.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Ratio-based thiol–disulfide indices may better reflect systemic oxidative stress in MetS than individual parameters. These findings support the potential utility of integrated redox markers as indicators of metabolic dysfunction.
Keywords: Biomarkers, clinical phenotype, metabolic syndrome, oxidative stress, redox balance, thiol–disulfide homeostasis
Manuscript Language: English