Effects of obesity on the lipid and metabolite profiles of young adults by serum ¹H-NMR spectroscopy

Background: Overweight (OW) is considered a risk for various metabolic diseases. However, its effects as a mechanism that alters the metabolite profiles remain unclear. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects that OW has on the lipid and metabolite profiles in young adults. Methods: The serum metabolite profiles of 46 young adults of normal weight and those considered OW were studied by Proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (¹H NMR) technique. Results: ¹H NMR metabolite analysis shows the alteration of metabolic levels and increased levels of CH₂ lipids and CH₃ lipids, which are used as unique biomarkers to identify OW subjects from the normal weight groups. Conclusion: This present study reveals that OW contributes to the systemic metabolism and the metabolite alteration among young adults. The alteration in serum lipids level could shed the light on metabolic syndrome pathogenesis in young adults and needs further elucidation.