Plasma total antioxidant capacity in an adult Hong Kong Chinese population.
OBJECTIVE
To examine plasma total antioxidant capacity (TAOC) in a Chinese population with a lower incidence of cardiovascular disease compared with Caucasian populations, in relation to dietary intake, age, sex, and the presence of cardiovascular diseases.


METHODS
As part of a randomized territory-wide survey stratified by sex and 10-year age groups; 728 subjects (367 men, 361 women) were recruited. Dietary intake assessment was by a food frequency questionnaire; plasma TAOC was estimated by the ABTS method.


RESULTS
The TAOC values were normally distributed, the mean +/- SD being 1.78 +/- 0.18 mmol/L. The mean value was higher in men compared with women, inspite of a lower dietary intake of vitamins A and C per 1000 kcal in the former. Subjects who consumed water spinach twice or more a week had higher mean levels. No difference in mean levels was observed between those with and without hypertension or cardiovascular disease.


CONCLUSIONS
Measurement of plasma TAOC as a risk factor in epidemiological studies of cardiovascular diseases may have limited use, since TAOC include substances associated with a protective effect as well as increased risk.
Woo
J
J
Department of Medicine, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong. jeanwoowong@cuhk.edu.hk
Leung
S S
SS
Lam
C W
CW
Ho
S C
SC
Lam
T H
TH
Janus
E D
ED
D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism*; D044466:Asian People; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000097:blood*; D004032:Diet; D005260:Female; D006723:Hong Kong / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D017678:Sex Distribution; D044465:White People
D000975:Antioxidants