Lipid peroxides in obese patients and effects of weight loss with orlistat on lipid peroxides levels

Obesity is a well-known risk factor of atherosclerosis. Recent studies showed that obesity is associated with enhanced lipid peroxidation. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of weight reduction with orlistat treatment on lipid peroxidation levels. We assessed lipid peroxidation by measuring the concentration of plasma malondialdehyde (MDA). A randomized, controlled, open-label 6-month study. In total, 36 obese (body mass index (BMI) >30 kg/m2) and 11 healthy age-matched control subjects were enrolled in the study. Fasting glucose, triglyceride, total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol and LDL cholesterol and MDA levels were measured in both groups. Obese subjects received orlistat, 120 mg three times daily together with hypocaloric diet. After 6 months of treatment laboratory tests were repeated. MDA levels were significantly higher in obese patients than the control group (P