| Abstract: | Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities were measured in blood from 420 individuals: control population 126, males and females, age between 50 to 93 years of age without any relevant pathology. Pathological population: 294 patients, males and females, age between 50 to 93 years of age, with some disease in the cardiovascular system and in the osteoarticular system, myoma, prostatic pathologies, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (EPOC), and Acute Cerebral Vascular Accident (ACVA). The method of Minami and Yoshikawa (SOD) and the method of Aebi (CAT) were judged the techniques of choice for a population study. Statistical methods: ANOVA and Student's "t". 1) The results were that levels of activity for SOD and CAT were increased for women in control population, and 2) the level of activity for CAT decreases with aging. In the pathological population, we detected: 3) increased activity for SOD in cardiovascular diseases, myomas, EPOC and ACVA. 4) for CAT the level of activity decreases in cardiovascular and prostatic diseases, EPOC and ACVA. 5) while in osteoarticular diseases levels of activity for SOD and CAT were standard, but SOD level decreases with aging, for CAT in cardiovascular diseases and EPOC, too. Both enzymes work to balance the antioxidant system. |
