Resumen

SECLEN SANTISTEBAN, Segundo; BARACCO MAGGI, Rossana  y  MOHANNA BARRENECHEA, Salim. Antioxidants use in adult populations from sea level vs high altitude: Superoxide dismutase activity. Rev Med Hered [online]. 2006, vol.17, n.1, pp.04-07. ISSN 1018-130X.

Free radicals constitute an important threat to the organism, in defense, cells have developed several antioxidant enzymes, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase and glutathione peroxidase. SOD is in charge of the removal of superoxide radicals produced in the mitochondrial electron transport chain. Objective: To determine and compare SOD levels of a high altitude and sea level population. Materials and Methods: This was a descriptive study. Blood samples were taken from blood donors of blood banks of Hospital Nacional Cayetano Heredia in Lima and Hospital Victor Ramos Guardia in Huaraz (3 052 meters above sea level). Ninety seven samples were analyzed using the Minami and Yoshikawa method to determine SOD activity. Results: The means for SOD values were 1 834 U/gr.Hb for Lima and 926.5 U/gr.Hb for Huaraz (p < 0.05). In every age group the high altitude natives had lower levels of SOD than the ones at sea level. There was a significant difference between women from Lima and Huaraz (1 929 U/gr.Hb vs. 941.89 U/gr.Hb; p < 0.05). The same was observed when comparing means of men from Lima and Huaraz (1 754 U/gr.Hb vs. 907.78 U/gr.Hb; p < 0.05). Conclusions: High altitude natives have lower levels of SOD. (Rev Med Hered 2006;17:4-7).

Palabras clave : Free radicals; superoxide dismutase; high altitude; Peru.

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