Italian air force acrobatic pilots are protected against flight-induced oxidative stress.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to assess the oxidative stress of aircraft pilots by evaluating different markers of oxidative stress and any imbalance between free radicals and antioxidants in plasma.


METHODS
A group of 13 supersonic aircraft pilots, following regular exercise and personalized diet, were compared with a group of 40 healthy controls. Oxidative stress indicators, such as reactive oxidative metabolites, carbonyl proteins, 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine and total antioxidant status, were evaluated after three months of intense flight.


RESULTS
Reactive oxygen metabolites, carbonyl protein and 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine plasma levels did not differ in supersonic aircraft pilots and healthy controls. The two groups also had similar total antioxidant status levels.


CONCLUSIONS
We suggest that supersonic aircraft pilots working at high altitude, even if exposed to physiological stresses, can, with proper diet, regular exercise and periodical medical examinations, maintain a healthy balance between oxidant and antioxidant status.
Department of Human Morphology and Biomedical Sciences Città Studi, University of Milan, Milan, Italy. giada.dogliotti@unimi.it
Giada
G
Dogliotti
Elena
E
Dozio
Marco
M
Agrifoglio
Elena
E
Costa
Guido
G
Broich
Alexis E
AE
Malavazos
Fabrizio
F
Palumbo
Massimiliano M
MM
Corsi
D001359:Aviation; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D008297:Male; D008889:Military Personnel; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D000078329:Workforce