Rapid in vivo quantification and comparison of hydroperoxides and oxidized collagen in aging mice, rabbits and man

A new method is described for the measurement of hydroperoxides and oxidized collagen in epidermal skin of mice, rabbits and man using reflective, near-infrared spectroscopy. Slight decreases in levels of hydroperoxides and oxidized collagen occur during the non-senescent phase of life. On the other hand, dramatic increases are experienced during the senescent phase. These increases are smallest in man, who has the most efficient defence system against peroxides and other active oxygens. Preliminary clinical work suggests that significantly reduced levels of hydroperoxides and oxidized collagen can be obtained with antioxidant diet-supplementation in middle-aged mice (approximately 90%, approximately 34%) and man (approximately 19%), respectively.