Comparative study of the levels of antioxidants of students at Amman and Dead Sea level.

ABSTRACT

The effect of hyperoxia on the level of the antioxidants glutathione (GSH) in the whole blood and the enzymes, catalase, superoxide dismutase (SOD), glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) and 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (6-PGD), was studied in the erythrocytes of male high school students living at Dead Sea level (390 m below Sea level and 794.7 mm Hg), and compared with those of students living at Amman level (766 m above sea level and 697.5 mm Hg). The levels of the antioxidant enzymes were found to be lower at Dead Sea level than in Amman, except for the catalase level, which was similar in both groups. The ratio of GSH/Hb was significantly higher in the blood of students at Dead Sea level than in Amman. The combined activities of the antioxidants protected the RBC's but permitted increased level of GSH/Hb in the blood to protect peripheral cells from damage by oxidants.