Nitric oxide production is increased in severely obese children and related to markers of oxidative stress and inflammation.

Objective: Nitric oxide (NO) is the major endothelium-derived relaxing factor. The aim of the present study was to evaluate NO synthesis and metabolism in severely obese children with different degrees of metabolic risk and to ascertain their relation with the parameters of oxidative stress and inflammation.

Methods: The study involved 60 obese children evaluated with respect to metabolic risk factors (MRFs) (32<4 MRFs and 28 ≥ 4 MRFs) and 50 normal weight children between 7 and 14 years of age.