THE RELEVANCE BODY MASS INDEX ON THE OXIDATIVE STRESS STATUS OF ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE PATHOLOGY

While dementia affects 6-10% of persons 65 years or older, industrialized countries have witnessed an alarming rise in obesity. Obesity affects over 500 million people worldwide, and has far reached negative health effects. In addition, oxidative stress is a risk factor for metabolic diseases and was previously shown to be independently associated with obesity. Current status of research: Researchers investigated the relationship between body mass index (BMI), age and oxidative stress. In this way, convincing evidences demonstrated that oxidative stress is a prominent feature in Alzheimer disease and links oxidative stress to the development of neuronal death and neural dysfunction, which suggests a key pathogenic role for oxidative stress in AD. Moreover, the disease progression is enhanced by oxidative stress. Also, while many hypotheses have been provided as the causes of the disease, the exact mechanisms remain elusive and difficult to verify. Results demonstrate that oxidative stress increases with the increasing of BMI and age, as a sequel to an impaired antioxidant status, an increase of peroxides and uric acid and a disadvantaged lipid profile. Conclusions: Future studies are needed to understand optimal weight and biological mechanisms. Oxidative stress and inflammation are implicated in the pathogenesis of obesity and its related complications.