Biomedical studies on lipid peroxidation and erythrocyte fragility during the process of aging

ABSTRACT

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate oxidative stress, hemoglobin percentage and erythrocyte osmotic fragility in various aging groups.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 200 healthy volunteers of both genders between age group 20-65 years were selected by random method. Determination of hemoglobin percentage was done employing modified cyanide method of Dacie and Lewis. The erythrocyte lysis was observed in hypotonic solution of buffered saline at varying concentrations and optical density was measured at 540 nm. The extent of lipid peroxidation in form of malondialdehyde was measured by thiobarbituric acid method.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The study found a significant decrease in hemoglobin percentage, increase in erythrocyte osmotic fragility and increased lipid peroxidation in form of malondialdehyde with increasing age.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Supplementation of antioxidants may prevent the oxidative injury in elderly group of subjects.</p>