Age-related correlation between antioxidant enzymes and DNA damage with smoking and body mass index

J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2008 Apr;63(4):360-4. doi: 10.1093/gerona/63.4.360.

Abstract

To understand whether oxidants contribute to the initiation and/or promulgation toward aging, the present study has been undertaken on 220 healthy male volunteers aged 20-80 years selected from the defined electoral area (suburbs of Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, India) to evaluate the concentrations of free radicals (superoxide anion, hydrogen peroxide), lymphocyte antioxidant enzymes (glutathione S-transferase, superoxide dismutase, catalase), and DNA damage in relation to obesity and smoking (lifestyles). A two fold increase of lymphocyte free radical generation (DNA damage) was observed in older age groups with a reduced antioxidant potential, forming a link between cigarette smoking and oxidative stress represented by an antioxidant imbalance. Body mass index had a positive relationship with oxidative stress, but antioxidant levels did not vary with body mass index. The findings conclude that free radical-mediated oxidative stress and DNA damage accelerate with lifestyle variations under reduced antioxidant potential.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Aging / genetics*
  • Aging / metabolism*
  • Antioxidants / metabolism*
  • Body Mass Index
  • Catalase / metabolism
  • DNA Damage*
  • Glutathione Transferase / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Lymphocytes / enzymology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Obesity / physiopathology*
  • Oxidative Stress / physiology
  • Smoking / physiopathology*
  • Superoxide Dismutase / metabolism

Substances

  • Antioxidants
  • Catalase
  • Superoxide Dismutase
  • Glutathione Transferase