Serum lipid peroxides and antioxidant defense components of rural and urban populations and aging

Abstract

Serum lipid peroxides, antioxidant vitamins such as vitamin C, vitamin E and an antioxidant enzyme glutathione peroxidase activity were determined among urban (175M + 139F) and rural (135M + 87F) inhabitants, with an age range of 40-78 years. Serum lipid peroxide (LPO) levels showed no significant difference in the 40-49 and 50-59 age groups between rural and urban populations; however, these levels were elevated in the >60 age group in urban individuals. The main mechanism of cellular defense against free radical-mediated oxidative stress effectively functioned until the concentration of LPO reached a level of 4.0 nmol/ml, in both groups; further increase in LPO resulted in a depletion of antioxidants. The percentage of individuals possessing >4.0 nmol/ml of LPO with age was increased in the urban population as compared to the rural population. These data indicate that an impairment of the antioxidant system would render older individuals in urban settings more susceptible to peroxidative stress. © 1993 American Aging Association, Inc.