Abstract

The effects of age and daily physical activity (PA) on antioxidant capacity and oxidative stress remains unclear, especially among advanced age population. Thus the present study evaluated antioxidant capacity and oxidative stress status, taking into account age and PA in healthy middle-aged and elderly people (45-92 years, n = 436; 166 males and 270 females). The advanced age subjects were classified in groups according to their age. Data collected from young male subjects (18-26 years, n = 36) were used as a reference. The scavenging activity against superoxide anions (O2̇̇̇̇•-) and hydroxyl radicals (HO•), oxidized/reduced glutathione concentrations ([GSSG] and [GSH]) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances concentration ([TBARS]) were analyzed using blood samples which were obtained at resting condition. The PA of all subjects was determined using a pedometer. By comparing antioxidant and oxidative stress markers between groups, there were not any marked differences except for the fact that elderly subjects had lower [GSH] and higher [TBARS] than young subjects. As a result of multi-regression analysis using factors such as age, sex, life style related disease and smoking habit as explaining variables, the PA did not associate with either antioxidant capacity or oxidative stress status. These data suggested that age and PA may have little influence on antioxidant capacity and oxidative stress among advanced age people. Verf.-Referat