Total Antioxidant Status

Free radicals are defined as the chemical species that possess one or more unpaired electrons. They are produced as a result of normal cell activity and various environmental factors; unstable free radical species termed reactive oxygen species (ROS) attack cellular components, causing damage to lipids, proteins and DNA. Attacking the body indiscriminately, free radicals initiated a deadly chain reaction resulting in the onset of disease. Fortunately, the body is armed with a line of defense in the form of antioxidants. However, antioxidant levels vary leaving some people more at risk from free radical attack than others. Free radicals have been implicated in over 100 human and animal diseases

Conditions associated with Free Radical Damage

• Cardiovascular disease
• Cerebrovascular disease
• Renal Disorders
• HIV infection
• Cancer
• Hypertension
• Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases
• Ageing
• Infertility
• Rheumatoid Arthritis and other inflammations.

Antioxidants as Important Markers of Diseases

ROS circulate freely in the body with access to all organs and tissues, which can have serious repercussions throughout the body. The body utilizes antioxidant reserve to cope with Free Radicals and monitoring antioxidant levels may be conducive to the early detection of disease.

Free Radicals and Cardiovascular Disease

Cardiovascular disease is the single largest cause of mortality in the general population. Excess free radicals are thought to initiate atherosclerosis by damaging blood vessel walls. Numerous studies have concluded that LDL-Cholesterol is a contributory factor in the development of heart disease. However, it is only recently that an association has been made between the disease and free radicals. Excess free radical circulation within the body oxidize these low-density lipoproteins rendering them potentially fatal. These oxidized components when combined with macrophages form foam cells. These cells initiate the formation of an atherosclerotic lesion that can result in blockage of blood vessels.

How Antioxidants can help the Cardiovascular System

Sufficient levels of antioxidants represent vital protection for the body’s cardiovascular system. Antioxidants effectively counteract the oxidation of low density lipoproteins (LDL), the so called bad cholesterol. This line of defence also helps protect arteries from forming plaques that can deprive both the heart and other organs from vitally needed blood.

Clinical Significance

Total Antioxidant Status may be used as a screening tool for possible cardiovascular problems before they manifest themselves as overt disease.

Sample Requirement

2 ml blood in a plain vial (EDTA plasma not recommended)

Reference Range

1.1-2.0 mmol/L

The estimation of Total Antioxidant Status (TAS) is being done at the Department of Biochemistry on regular basis.