Serum zinc, copper status and Cu/Zn ratio in overweight and obesity: associations with oxidative stress, adipokines, and cardiometabolic traits in adult women

Obesity is more prevalent in women worldwide and has been associated with low-grade inflammation, oxidative stress, and alterations in the homeostasis of trace elements, such as zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu). The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between nutritional status and cardiometabolic traits, inflammatory biomarkers, oxidative stress markers, and serum concentrations of Zn and Cu in adult women. In this observational cross-sectional study, anthropometric data and cardiometabolic traits from 123 adult women in Mexico City were analyzed. Inflammatory biomarkers (leptin and resistin) were quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Oxidative stress markers were evaluated by serum total antioxidant capacity (sTAC) using the DPPH radical scavenging method (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) and lipid peroxidation via thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS). Serum Zn and Cu concentrations were quantified by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Overweight and obesity were associated with increased lipid peroxidation (p = 0.013) and the Cu/Zn ratio (p = 0.021) and negatively associated with sTAC (p = 0.030) and Zn concentrations (p = 0.003). A positive association was observed between serum Cu concentrations and total cholesterol (TC; p = 0.045). Leptin and resistin concentrations were higher in the overweight and obesity groups. In conclusion, our findings suggest that higher body weight in Mexican adult women is associated with a deregulated redox status and trace elements homeostasis, particularly reduced Zn levels and an increased Cu/Zn ratio. Additionally, the observed association between serum Cu concentrations and TC may highlight a potential mechanism linking adiposity, oxidative stress, and lipid metabolism.