ERYTHROCYTE ANTIOXIDANT STATUS IN ASYMPTOMATIC HYPERCHOLESTEROLEMIC MEN

An imbalance between antioxidant and oxidant-generating systems leadin g to an oxidative stress has already been proposed in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. In the present study we investigated the antioxid ant status in 60 asymptomatic hypercholesterolemic (HC) men compared w ith 48 normocholesterolemic (NC) men. Hypercholesterolemic subjects ha d a significantly lower red blood cell vitamin E (vit E-RBC) content i n spite of their normal total plasma and HDL vitamin E concentrations. Activities of erythrocyte superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxi dase were not significantly different between groups. We also determin ed the resistance of RBCs to an oxidative stress by determining the ex tent of hemolysis induced by a water-soluble ate-compound. This resist ance was significantly decreased in HC men compared with NC subjects. These results demonstrate an altered antioxidant status of RBC in asym ptomatic HC men associated with an increased erythrocyte susceptibilit y to an oxidative stress. The measure of the vitamin E content in RBC might be the most sensitive parameter for evidencing early oxidative s tress which does not need an adaptation of enzymatic protective system s. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.