Reference values of antioxidant parameters in whole blood (erythrocytes) of a region in thuringia

Background: The oxidant stress is characterized by measurement of the activ ities of glutathione peroxidase, superoxiddismutase and also by concentrati ons of glutathione and selenium in erythrocytes. A standardization of the m ethods of determination is very important. Material and Methods: In erythrocytes of blood donors (n = 101) the paramet ers glutathione peroxidase, glutathione, superoxiddismutase and selenium we re determined. Results: The following results of the antioxidant parameters in erythrocyte s of blood donors were found: Selenium 67.1 +/- 20.1 nmol/mmol Hb, glutathi one peroxidase 842 +/- 290 U/mmol Hb, glutathione 108 +/- 48 mu mol/mmol Hb , superooxiddismutase 15.8 +/- 6.1 U/mu mol Hb. Conclusion: Selenium, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione and superoxiddism utase in erythrocytes of blood donors are normally distributed. There are n o significant differences between men and women. The use of "own reference values" is neccessary because no standardization of the methods of determin ation exists.