Relationship of Serum Superoxide Dismutase Activity and Lifestyle of Healthy Japanese Adults

Abstract

Superoxide dismutase (SOD) is an antioxidant enzyme that acts to degrade superoxide, a major causitivefactor for oxidative stress associated with cancer, cardiovascular disease, and various other ailments. Here, toassess an association between antioxidants and lifestyle factors related to cancer risk, we analyzed serum SODactivity among the subjects within a large-scale cohort study in Japan. As results, significant differences inserum SOD activity were found between the sexes (lower in males), among female age groups (lower in youngerindividuals), and in males with the BMI (lower in those with a high BMI). Linear increase in serum SODactivity with aging and decrease with BMI were observed in females. Significantly low SOD activity was evidentin male heavy smokers. In contrast, elevation was noted in female frequent drinkers. In conclusion, our findingsdo suggest associations between serum SOD activity and lifestyle factors. However, for further study,establishment of a standard measurement method for SOD activity should be a high priority.