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Sex differences in oxidative stress biomarkers
Elvira Brunelli, Francesco Domanico, Daniele La Russa
1Departments of Biology, Ecology and Earth Sciences (DiBEST), University of Calabria, 87030 Arcavacata di Rende, Cosenza, Italy. danielapellegrino@unical.it.
Current Drug Targets
|June 25, 2014
Summary
This study reveals significant gender differences in oxidative stress levels among healthy adults. Women exhibited higher oxidative stress, contrary to expectations based on estrogen
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Physiology
- Gender Medicine
Background:
- Increased oxidative stress is linked to various pathologies.
- Pathologies like cardiovascular diseases can manifest differently between genders.
- The predictive value of oxidative stress biomarkers needs further understanding.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate potential gender differences in prooxidant and antioxidant status.
- To explore the role of hormonal status, specifically estrogen levels, in these differences.
- To clarify the relationship between sex, oxidative stress, and antioxidant capacity.
Main Methods:
- Study involved 195 healthy volunteers.
- Assessed prooxidant and antioxidant biomarkers.
- Analyzed female samples based on menopausal status (pre-menopausal vs. post-menopausal).
Main Results:
- A significant difference in oxidative stress was observed between sexes.
- No significant difference was found in plasma antioxidant barrier efficiency.
- No significant differences in oxidative stress biomarkers were found between pre-menopausal and post-menopausal women.
- Women presented higher oxidative stress levels compared to men, irrespective of menopausal status.
Conclusions:
- There are distinct gender differences in oxidative stress levels.
- Estrogen's antioxidant role may be counteracted by other factors influencing oxidative status in women.
- Differences in reactive oxygen metabolite production and deactivation likely contribute to observed gender disparities in oxidative stress.
