Abstract
1. Since oxygen free radicals are directly involved in a variety of pathologies such as atherosclerosis, diabetes mellitus, inflammation and/or when a deficit of defences of the organism against radicals occurs, we developed a suitable and simple method to determine both the erythrocyte sensitivity to an oxidative stress and plasma antioxidant protective capacity. 2. This test is based on the introduction at 37 degrees C of a radical initiator, 2,2'-azobis (2-amidinopropane) dihydrochloride (AAPH), within an erythrocyte suspension leading to a membrane alteration and ultimately to haemolysis. The latter can be quantified by determining the lacticodeshydrogenase activity released in the medium. The erythrocyte sensitivity to haemolysis and the volume of plasma inhibiting 50% of the haemolysis were determined. 3. Intra-assay CVs were 1.9% for erythrocyte sensitivity to oxidative stress and 3.4% for inhibitory 50% plasma volume. Inter-assay CVs for both erythrocyte sensitivity and inhibitory 50% plasma volume were 4%. 4. The reliability of this method was assessed and applied to test the protective effect of vitamin E, a well known antioxidant agent, in six healthy volunteers. Two weeks after daily administration of 500 mg of vitamin E, the mean plasma vitamin E concentration increased by 41% from 10.7 +/- 2.0 mg l-1 before treatment (P < 0.05). As the vitamin E concentration increased, the mean inhibitory 50% plasma volume and the percentage of haemolysed erythrocytes decreased respectively by 29% from 3.35 +/- 0.5 microliter (P < 0.05) and 18% from 71.5 +/- 3.8% (P < 0.05). No significative variation of these parameters was observed in six adult men without vitamin E supplementation. 5. Thus, this global and simple test permits an antioxidant status evaluation of a patient. It can be applied to various pathologies and allows the potency of new antioxidant molecules to be evaluated.