Evaluation of DNA damage profile in obese women and its association to risk of metabolic syndrome, polycystic ovary syndrome and recurrent preeclampsia

Metabolic syndrome (MS) is a cluster of metabolic abnormalities. Obesity and MS are always accompanied by elevated oxidative stress which might affect cellular bio-molecules such as DNA. The aim of the present study is to investigate DNA damage profile in obese premenopausal women and its relation to the risk of MS, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and history of recurrent pre-eclampsia. The study included 90 obese women included cases with MS (n = 30), PCOS (n = 30) and previous history of recurrent preeclampsia (n = 30) and, age-matched healthy non-obese control women (n = 50). The assessment of leukocyte DNA damage was done by comet assay for all cases and controls. Anthropometry and biochemical parameters have been measured. Results showed that mean percent of DNA damage was significantly higher in MS, PCOS as well as in women with the recurrent preeclampsia as compared to healthy controls. The high level of mean DNA damage frequency in obese women was significantly associated with the increased number of metabolic syndrome components. Cases with 2, 3 and 3–5 components showed significantly higher levels of DNA damage than controls. Moreover, cases with 3–5 MS components showed significant higher DNA compared to those with the two components. Regarding PCOS, significant positive association between the mean frequency of DNA damage and waist circumference was observed. The study suggests that metabolic abnormalities, PCOS and recurrent pre-eclampsia might be contributed in development of DNA damage in obese women. DNA damage can serve as an early marker for obesity complications in premenopausal women.