Relationship between stress levels and the status of serum antioxidant vitamins

Abstract

Background : Alternative methods for stress monitoring and evaluation prove very useful in proper dealing with it. Thus, establishing a link between stress exposure and serum antioxidant vitamins’ levels would certainly provide a clue towards stress management. Aim : The study aimed at evaluating the status of serum antioxidant vitamins in stress conditions. Methods : The study was carried out on a total of fifteen Bayero University Kano students of comparable age. Data on their general lifestyle, nutritional habit and study/reading pattern, their blood samples were collected. Serum levels of vitamins A and vitamin C were also assayed. Results : The serum vitamins’ mean values were compared before, during and after the commencement of examination for statistical significant difference. When compared on before versus after commencement of examination, mean serum vitamin A levels was found to be significantly lower before than after the commencement of examination while no significant difference existed between the corresponding serum vitamin C levels. Moreover when compared during versus after and before versus during the commencement of examination, both the mean serum vitamins’ levels were found to be significantly lower during than before and after the commencement of examination. Conclusion : Findings from this study showed that serum vitamins A and C levels declined most during the commencement of examination. This might be an indicator of highest stress level attained by the study subjects at the period. This study confirms that the higher the stress level, the lower the status of serum antioxidant vitamins. Key Words : Stress; oxidative stress; antioxidant; vitamin A; Vitamin C