Sex Differences in Oxidative Stress Biomarkers

Abstract

Although an increased oxidative stress has been associated with several pathologies, predictive value of circulating oxidative stress biomarkers remains poorly understood. It has been demonstrated that several pathologies underestimated in women, including cardiovascular diseases, develop differently by gender. In this study, conducted on 195 healthy volunteers, we assessed the putative gender difference in prooxidant and antioxidant status. Our results were successful in demonstrating a significant difference in oxidative stress between sexes, whereas no difference was found in the plasma antioxidant barrier efficiency. To assess whether this difference was due to hormonal status (i.e. estrogen levels), female samples were divided into pre-menopausal and post-menopausal groups. No significant difference emerged for both biomarkers. Despite the well-known antioxidant estrogen role, women in this study presented a higher oxidative status than males. This suggests that there is a difference in the production and metabolic deactivation of reactive oxygen metabolite.

The inverted CD4:CD8 ratio is associated with gender-related changes in oxidative stress during aging

“…Although FRAP and AOPP were found higher only in men of CD4:CD8 < 1 group, females of the inverted phenotype had lower levels of TBARS. Different studies have indicated gender differences in OS profile, including higher antioxidant defences in men, but there is no consensus in this field [64,65]. Age-related increase in production of ROS has been related to the loss of muscle tissue that occurs mainly among men (sarcopenia) and has also been associated with increased IL-6 and CRP [66][67][68].…”

Dynamic thiol/disulphide homeostasis as a novel oxidative stress marker in women with major depressive disorder

“…8 As oxidative stress is considered to be associated with the initiation and progression of different systemic diseases caused by vascular endothelial dysfunctions, such as atherosclerosis, hypertension, and cardiovascular diseases, factors such as sex hormones and gender differences are thought to be associated with oxidative stress markers. [9][10][11] For instance, women have generally been reported to have less reactive oxygen species (ROS) and oxidative stress markers than males. 12 Additionally, the antioxidative effects of the female sex hormone estrogen is known to have an anti-inflammatory and endothelial protection role by modulating the release of protective enzymes.…”

Poor acute outcome in congestive heart failure is associated with increases in the plasma static oxidation–reduction potentials (sORP) in men but not in women

“…This difference may not necessarily be a result of sex hormones as most of the women in this study were of age to be post-menopausal and Brunelli et al [39] found no significant difference in oxidative stress markers between young and aged women, at least under healthy conditions. In those living with coronary artery disease (CAD), however, older females have increased markers of oxidative stress compared to males with CAD [41], thus under stress conditions, it is possible that sex differences become more pronounced.…”

“…One study found that males have lower oxidant levels than females; however, antioxidant levels were similar [39]. Another found no significant difference in oxidative stress between the sexes but did find an effect of diabetes, with otherwise healthy diabetic females having higher levels of oxidative stress [40].…”