DEMOGRAPHIC AND CARDIOVASCULAR RISK-FACTORS IN RELATION TO ANTIOXIDANT STATUS - THE EVA STUDY

The aim of the study was to examine the determinants of blood antioxid ant indicators on a large sample. Levels of plasma selenium and carote noids, vitamin E in red blood cells, and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) were determined. The cross-sectional relationships between these markers and demographic and cardiovascular risk factors were examined in participants of the EVA study, a cohort of 1389 men a nd women, aged 59-71 years. Multivariable regression models including demographic (age, sex, socio-economic level), lifestyle (alcohol, toba cco), clinical and metabolic (lipids, glycemia) factors were used. Wom en had higher levels of plasma carotenoids, TEARS and red blood cell v itamin E. Cholesterol levels were positively associated to lipid-solub le vitamins, selenium and TEARS. Use of lipid-lowering drugs was posit ively associated,vith selenium and vitamin E and negatively with carot enoids. Body mass index was the strongest determinant of plasma carote noids. Education and income levels were positively associated with sel enium and total carotenoids. Tobacco consumption was negatively associ ated with red blood cell vitamin E, whereas alcohol consumption was po sitively associated with TBARS. This study emphasizes the respective p lace of the various determinants of antioxidant status. When consideri ng tissue antioxidant indicators, analyses should rake into account no t only the metabolic parameters but also socio-economic factors and th e subject's life style.