AGE-RELATED BLOOD ANTIOXIDANT CAPACITY IN MEN AND WOMEN

The aim of the study was to assess the blood antioxidant capacity in men and women in relation to age. The subjects were 19 men (YM) and 19 women (YW) aged 25-32 years, and 11 men (OM) and 11 women (OW) aged 63-71 years, all sedentary. The following factors were determined: the activity of erythrocyte superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), catalase (CAT), total antioxidant status (TAS), as well as plasma retinol, alpha-tocopherol, uric acid and total protein concentrations. The sum of standardized activities of antioxidant enzymes was calculated to compare age-related changes in the total capacity of the erythrocyte antioxidant defense. No significant age-related changes in SOD activity were observed; mean CAT activity was higher in older women and men than in younger subjects. Mean activity of GPX was higher and that of GR lower in older subjects compared to the younger ones. The calculated total erythrocyte antioxidant enzyme capacity in younger and older subjects rendered similar values. No significant differences in plasma retinol and alpha-tocopherol concentrations in relation to sex or age were noted. The plasma total protein level was significantly lower in younger women and men compared to their older mates. It was concluded that the total erythrocyte enzymatic antioxidant capacity did not change with age. The results obtained clearly show that multiple factors may contribute to the ageing process.