Plasma xanthine oxidase and metabolic indicators association in healthy women related to age

• Main Authors: Elena Lupeanu, Ileana Raducanu, P Gherasim, Emanuela Constantinescu, Cecilia Gainaru, Cristina Ionesch
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: "Alexandru Ioan Cuza" University of Iași 2010-06-01
• Series: Analele Ştiinţifice Ale Universităţii Alexandru Ioan Cuza din Iași,Sectiunea II A : Genetica si Biologie Moleculara
• Online Access: http://www.gbm.bio.uaic.ro/index.php/gbm/article/view/760

Xanthine oxidase (XO) may generates appreciable amounts of reactive oxygen species, such as superoxide radical and hydrogen peroxide, in different pathological conditions, and also in aging. In such circumstances, XO may be released into the bloodstream, and even, to adhere to the external surface of the endothelial cells. The aim of the study is to evaluate plasma XO activity and its correlations with some metabolic indicators in apparently healthy women as a function of age. Subjects without major diseases, were included in three groups of ages: adults (30-45 years old), presenescents (50-64 years old) and senescents (65-80 years old). Plasma XO activity was significantly increased (p < 0,001) in the presenescent subjects compared with adult ones. A significant positive correlation was pointed out between XO and subjects age (r = 0,4436; p < 0,01). Also, a significant positive correlation was evidenced between XO and the uric acid (r = 0,3212; p < 0,02), glucose (r = 0,2681; p < 0,05), urea (r = 0,3275; p < 0,01), total cholesterol (r = 0,3196; p < 0,01), triglycerides (r = 0,3260; p < 0,01) contents and AST (r = 0,2588; p < 0,01) and ALT (r = 0,3741; p < 0,01) activities. No correlation was showed between XO and creatinine, total proteins and fibrinogen contents. Plasma XO activity increase in aging may indicate the apparent minor changes of the energy metabolism, and the enzyme role to modulate the oxidative stress in plasma and endothelial cells, and to influence the endothelium dependent vasodilatation.