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During the postmenopausal period, there are metabolic alterations that predispose individuals to metabolic syndrome (MS), oxidative stress (OS), and the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases. We aimed to compare the concentrations of OS markers in postmenopausal women with and without MS. Malondialdehyde, carbonyl groups, and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) were quantified. We conducted a cross-sectional study: Group 1 (n = 42) included women without MS, and Group 2 (n = 58) comprised women with MS. Participants' age was similar between groups. Glucose, insulin, the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance, triglycerides, uric acid, and body mass index were significantly lower in postmenopausal women without MS. OS markers were significantly lower in Group 1 vs. Group 2: malondialdehyde, 31.32 ± 14.93 vs. 40.27 ± 17.62 pmol MDA/mg dry weight ( p  = .01); protein carbonylation, 6325 ± 1551 vs. 7163 ± 1029 pmol PC/mg protein ( p  = .0003); and TAC, 1497 ± 297.3 vs. 1619 ± 278.8 pmol Trolox equivalent/mg protein ( p  = .041). OS markers were significantly higher in postmenopausal women with MS. Impact statement What is already known on this subject? Oxidative stress has been implicated in numerous disease processes; however, information on the relationship between oxidative stress and metabolic syndrome among postmenopausal women remains limited. What do the results of this study add? Our results indicate that in postmenopausal Mexican women, oxidative stress markers were significantly lower in those without metabolic syndrome, whereas total antioxidant capacity was higher in those with metabolic syndrome, which could be explained as an antioxidant defense mechanism capable of neutralising excess oxidative damage markers. What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? This study is of interest to a broad audience because it compares the concentrations of oxidative stress markers in postmenopausal women with and without metabolic syndrome. Our study could support intervention with supplements or foods rich in antioxidants as lifestyle modifications in postmenopausal women with metabolic syndrome.

In the reproductive phase, women experience cyclic changes in the ovaries and uterus, and hormones regulate these changes. Menopause is the permanent loss of menstruation after 12 months of amenorrhea. Menopause is also linked to a decrease in estrogen production, causing an imbalance in oxidative stress. We aimed to compare the three stages of lipid peroxidation, protein oxidative damage, and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) between reproductive-aged women (RAW) and postmenopausal women (PMW) in Mexico. We carried out a cross-sectional study with 84 women from Mexico City, including 40 RAW and 44 PMW. To determine the oxidative stress of the participants, several markers of lipid damage were measured: dienes conjugates (DC), lipohydroperoxides (LHP), and malondialdehyde (MDA); exposure to protein carbonyl is indicative of oxidative modified proteins, and TAC is indicative of the antioxidant defense system. Biomarkers of oxidative stress were significantly lower in RAW vs. PMW. DC were 1.31 ± 0.65 vs. 1.7 ± 0.51 pmol DC/mg dry weight ( p = 0.0032); LHP were 4.95 ± 2.20 vs. 11.30 ± 4.24 pmol LHP/mg dry weight ( p < 0.0001); malondialdehyde was 20.37 ± 8.20 vs. 26.10 ± 8.71 pmol MDA/mg dry weight ( p = 0.0030); exposure of protein carbonyl was 3954 ± 884 vs. 4552 ± 1445 pmol PC/mg protein ( p = 0.042); and TAC was 7244 ± 1512 vs. 8099 ± 1931 pmol Trolox equivalent/mg protein ( p = 0.027). PMW display significantly higher oxidative stress markers compared to RAW; likewise, PMW show a higher TAC., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest.