Oxidative balance score and mortality: mediating role of insulin resistance across age strata in the NHANES cohort

BackgroundThis study examined the association between oxidative balance score (OBS), a composite measure of oxidative/antioxidative factors, and mortality, while investigating insulin resistance (IR) indices as potential mediators using a nationally representative cohort.MethodsA cohort of 11,849 U....

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Main Authors: Lin Zhang, Heming Zhang, Hongxia Xiang, Jiachen Zhang, Wei Gong, Junjie Xv, Xue Yu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-06-01
Series:Frontiers in Nutrition
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnut.2025.1604696/full
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author Lin Zhang
Lin Zhang
Heming Zhang
Heming Zhang
Hongxia Xiang
Jiachen Zhang
Wei Gong
Junjie Xv
Xue Yu
author_facet Lin Zhang
Lin Zhang
Heming Zhang
Heming Zhang
Hongxia Xiang
Jiachen Zhang
Wei Gong
Junjie Xv
Xue Yu
author_sort Lin Zhang
collection DOAJ
description BackgroundThis study examined the association between oxidative balance score (OBS), a composite measure of oxidative/antioxidative factors, and mortality, while investigating insulin resistance (IR) indices as potential mediators using a nationally representative cohort.MethodsA cohort of 11,849 U. S. adults from NHANES (2007–2018) was analyzed. OBS integrated 16 dietary and 4 lifestyle components. Mortality risks (all-cause, cardiovascular, cancer) were assessed via weighted Cox models. Mediation analysis evaluated the indirect effects of five IR indices (TyG index, TG/HDL-C, HOMA-IR, eGDR, VAI) on OBS-mortality associations, with statistical validation of mediation effects. Analyses were stratified by age (<65 vs. ≥65 years) and adjusted for sociodemographic, behavioral, and clinical covariates.ResultsHigher OBS reduced risks of all-cause (HR = 0.652, 95% CI: 0.525–0.81) and cardiovascular mortality (HR = 0.605, 95% CI: 0.408–0.898), but not cancer mortality. Innovatively, eGDR mediated 17% of OBS’s protective effect on all-cause mortality in adults <65 years, while TyG index and HOMA-IR showed weaker mediation. No IR mediation occurred in older adults (≥65 years).ConclusionHigher OBS levels were inversely associated with all-cause and cardiovascular mortality, partially mediated by insulin resistance pathways. These findings highlight OBS as a potential prognostic indicator for mortality risk.
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spelling doaj-art-6f8bdb8ad2a24c8caee6d31d25497abe2025-08-20T03:09:51ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Nutrition2296-861X2025-06-011210.3389/fnut.2025.16046961604696Oxidative balance score and mortality: mediating role of insulin resistance across age strata in the NHANES cohortLin Zhang0Lin Zhang1Heming Zhang2Heming Zhang3Hongxia Xiang4Jiachen Zhang5Wei Gong6Junjie Xv7Xue Yu8Department of Cardiology, Beijing Hospital, National Center of Gerontology, Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, ChinaCollege of Life Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, ChinaDepartment of Anesthesiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, ChinaDepartment of Anesthesiology, The 963 Hospital of the PLA Joint Logistics Support Force, Jiamusi, ChinaDepartment of Anesthesiology, The 963 Hospital of the PLA Joint Logistics Support Force, Jiamusi, ChinaPeking University Health Science Center, Beijing, ChinaDepartment of Cardiology, Beijing Hospital, National Center of Gerontology, Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, ChinaHealth Service Department of the Guard Bureau of the General Office of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, Beijing, ChinaDepartment of Cardiology, Beijing Hospital, National Center of Gerontology, Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, ChinaBackgroundThis study examined the association between oxidative balance score (OBS), a composite measure of oxidative/antioxidative factors, and mortality, while investigating insulin resistance (IR) indices as potential mediators using a nationally representative cohort.MethodsA cohort of 11,849 U. S. adults from NHANES (2007–2018) was analyzed. OBS integrated 16 dietary and 4 lifestyle components. Mortality risks (all-cause, cardiovascular, cancer) were assessed via weighted Cox models. Mediation analysis evaluated the indirect effects of five IR indices (TyG index, TG/HDL-C, HOMA-IR, eGDR, VAI) on OBS-mortality associations, with statistical validation of mediation effects. Analyses were stratified by age (<65 vs. ≥65 years) and adjusted for sociodemographic, behavioral, and clinical covariates.ResultsHigher OBS reduced risks of all-cause (HR = 0.652, 95% CI: 0.525–0.81) and cardiovascular mortality (HR = 0.605, 95% CI: 0.408–0.898), but not cancer mortality. Innovatively, eGDR mediated 17% of OBS’s protective effect on all-cause mortality in adults <65 years, while TyG index and HOMA-IR showed weaker mediation. No IR mediation occurred in older adults (≥65 years).ConclusionHigher OBS levels were inversely associated with all-cause and cardiovascular mortality, partially mediated by insulin resistance pathways. These findings highlight OBS as a potential prognostic indicator for mortality risk.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnut.2025.1604696/fulloxidative balance scoreinsulin resistancemortalitymediation analysisNHANES
spellingShingle Lin Zhang
Lin Zhang
Heming Zhang
Heming Zhang
Hongxia Xiang
Jiachen Zhang
Wei Gong
Junjie Xv
Xue Yu
Oxidative balance score and mortality: mediating role of insulin resistance across age strata in the NHANES cohort
Frontiers in Nutrition
oxidative balance score
insulin resistance
mortality
mediation analysis
NHANES
title Oxidative balance score and mortality: mediating role of insulin resistance across age strata in the NHANES cohort
title_full Oxidative balance score and mortality: mediating role of insulin resistance across age strata in the NHANES cohort
title_fullStr Oxidative balance score and mortality: mediating role of insulin resistance across age strata in the NHANES cohort
title_full_unstemmed Oxidative balance score and mortality: mediating role of insulin resistance across age strata in the NHANES cohort
title_short Oxidative balance score and mortality: mediating role of insulin resistance across age strata in the NHANES cohort
title_sort oxidative balance score and mortality mediating role of insulin resistance across age strata in the nhanes cohort
topic oxidative balance score
insulin resistance
mortality
mediation analysis
NHANES
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnut.2025.1604696/full
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