Differences in plasma antioxidants according to socioeconomic level in Chilean women

Background: Free radical-mediated oxidative damage is a known initial event in atherogenesis. Cardiovascular disease is frequent in the Chilean popula tion showing differences in the prevalence of risk factors of the disease a ccording to socioeconomic level (SEL). Aim: To determine levels of antioxid ants and lipid peroxides in Chilean women from different SEL. Patients and methods: Blood samples were taken from 81 women for measurements of plasma ascorbic acid, beta -carotene, alpha -tocopherol, licopene, ubiquinol, glut athione, total plasma antioxidant capacity, and lipid peroxides (TBARS). Re sults: Individuals in the lower SEL showed reduced levels of plasma beta -c arotene, ascorbic acid, alpha -tocopherol, and ubiquinol compared to women in the higher SEL. There were no differences between groups in the plasma l evels of glutathione, total antioxidant capacity, or TBARS. Conclusions: Th e results could be explained in part by the higher consumption of fruits an d vegetables in women from the upper SEL (Rev Med Chile 2001; 129: 45-50).