Resumo

CANO, C et al. Influencia de la Edad y el Sexo en el Balance Oxidación/Antioxidación. AVFT [online]. 2001, vol.20, n.1, pp.63-67. ISSN 0798-0264.

Oxidative pathway is the most important mechanism involved in energy production of superior animals. The lack of control in this pathway results in overproduction of oxygen free radicals that may damage cellular structures. Malondialdehyde (MDA) is a reliable sensor for lipid peroxidation whose production can be balanced by nitric oxide (NO), ascorbic acid (Asc) and reduced gluthation (GSH) as antioxidant system. The objective of this study was to establish the influence of age and sex on antioxidant and oxidant system in a group of healthy subjects. MDA was measured as thiobarbituric adducts, NO as total nitrites, ascorbic acid through Schwarz and Williams method and GSH through commercial kit. No significant differences were observed either in oxidant (MDA) or in antioxidant system (NO, Asc and GSH) concentration when comparing subjects between 13 - 19 to subjects between 20 - 38 years old. According to sex only NO concentration was significantly higher in women (p< 0,012). Our results suggest that MDA, NO, Asc and GSH do not change in the interval of ages (13 - 38) and sex affects only nitrite’s concentration..

Palavras-chave : Malondialdehyde; Nitric oxide; Free radicals; Ascorbic acid, Reduction oxide.