Oxidative stress and insulin resistance in Libyan Down syndrome individuals: assessment and association compared to a healthy comparison group
Department of Biomedical Science, Division of Life Science, Libyan Academy for Postgraduate Studies,
Al-Bayda, LibyaDepartment of Biochemistry, Omar Al-Mukhtar University, Al-Bayda, Libya
Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Public Health, Benghazi University, Benghazi, Libya
Master of Clinical Biochemistry Program (LIMU), Libyan International University, Benghazi, Libya
Pediatr Endocrinol Diabetes Metab 2026; 32 (2):
Introduction
Individuals with Down syndrome (DS) are at increased risk of metabolic disturbances, including oxidative stress (OS) and insulin resistance (IR). The relationship between OS and IR in this population remains unclear.
Aim of the study
To assess OS and IR in Libyan individuals with DS and examine the influence of adiposity and age.
Material and methods
Fifty individuals with DS (aged 5–25 years) and 58 age-, sex-, and body mass index-matched individuals (comparison group, CG) were included. Anthropometric measurements, fasting glucose, insulin, malondialdehyde (MDA), and Homeostasis Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) were assessed. Associations between MDA, HOMA-IR, and body composition were evaluated.
Results
No significant correlation was found between MDA and HOMA-IR (r = 0.064, p = 0.661). No significant difference in HOMA-IR was observed between the DS group and the CG (p = 0.822), although 44% of DS subjects showed elevated HOMA-IR. In contrast, MDA levels were significantly higher in the DS group compared to the CG (p < 0.001), but remained within the normal range.
Conclusions
IR in DS appears to be mainly driven by adiposity rather than the syndrome itself, while OS is elevated but largely independent of IR.
Keywords
body mass index, Down syndrome, HOMA-IR, insulin resistance, oxidative stress
Integrated with
