Antioxidant enzymes and vitamins in Down's syndrome

Abstract

Twenty-two children with Donw's syndrome and 25 age-matched control children were examined to determine their levels of antioxidant enzymes and vitamins. Cu, Zn-superoxide dismutase (SOD), Mn-SOD, glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and catalase were studied as antioxidant enzymes, while α-tocopherol, β-carotene, and retinol were studied as antioxidant vitamins. The Cu, Zn-SOD activity and immoreactive protein levels in plasma and red blood cells were higher in Down's syndrome children than in control children, while plasma Mn-SOD was lower in Down's syndrome children than in controls. Red cell GSH-Px and catalase activities were lower in Down's syndrome than in the controls, but the difference was not significant. There were also no significant differences in the α- and γ-tocopherol levels in plasma, platelets, mononuclear cells, polymorphonuclear cells, and buccal mucosal cells between the Down's syndrome children and the control children. Finally, no significant differences were observed in plasma β-carotene and retinol levels.