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[Differences in plasma antioxidants according to socioeconomic level in Chilean women]
J Rozowski1, A Cuevas, O Castillo
1Departamento de Nutrición, Facultad de Medicina, Departamento de Medicina, Laboratorio de Citología, Bioquímica y Lípidos, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. jrozowsk@med.puc.cl
Background:
Free radical-mediated oxidative damage is a known initial event in atherogenesis. Cardiovascular disease is frequent in the Chilean population showing differences in the prevalence of risk factors of the disease according to socioeconomic level (SEL).
Aim:
To determine levels of antioxidants and lipid peroxides in Chilean women from different SEL.
Patients And Methods:
Blood samples were taken from 81 women for measurements of plasma ascorbic acid, beta-carotene, alpha-tocopherol, licopene, ubiquinol, glutathione, total plasma antioxidant capacity, and lipid peroxides (TBARS).
Results:
Individuals in the lower SEL showed reduced levels of plasma beta-carotene, ascorbic acid, alpha-tocopherol, and ubiquinol compared to women in the higher SEL. There were no differences between groups in the plasma levels of glutathione, total antioxidant capacity, or TBARS.
Conclusions:
The results could be explained in part by the higher consumption of fruits and vegetables in women from the upper SEL.