Is there any role of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase in obesity induced metabolic disorder

The present study was designed to explore the possible mechanism of obesity associated metabolic syndrome. 150 subjects (120 men and 30 women) in the age-group of 17 - 26 years were studied. Body Mass Index and Waist-to-Hip Ratio were taken as a measure of generalized obesity and abdominal adiposity. The serum concentration of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase increased with increasing levels of Body Mass Index and was found to be significant in obese subjects (Body Mass Index ≥ 30.0 kg/m2) and more so in the obese subjects with abdominal adiposity (p = 0.002) as compared to normal-weight subjects. Karl Pearson coefficient of correlation revealed a significant positive correlation of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase with Body Mass Index (r = 0.499;p < 0.001) and malondialdehyde (a biomarker of oxidative stress) (r = 0.736;p < 0.001) but inverse correlation with adiponectin (r = -0.524;p < 0.001). Thus, we conclude that increased expression of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase in obese subjects (more if it is associated with abdominal adiposity) might mediate the onset of obesity associated metabolic disorders by increasing oxidative stress.