Level of Oxidants and Antioxidants between Premenopausal and Postmenopausal Patients: An Observational and Comparative Study Kumar Amresh1, Gunjan2, Prasad Shiv Shankar3, Sinha Rajiv Ranjan4 1Senior Resident, Dept. of Biochemistry, Govt. Medical College, Bettiah 2Specialist Medical Officer, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Bihar Sharif 3Senior Resident, Dept. of Medicine, Patna Medical College, Patna 4Consultant (DM Gastroenterologist), Curis Hospital, Patna Online published on 6 April, 2019. Abstract Aim This study was conducted to compare the free radical damage in the form of oxidative stress and the antioxidant status in postmenopausal females in comparison to premenopausal females. Methods 200 female subjects (age group 40–50 years) were studied of which 100 were premenopausal and 100 postmenopausal. Oxidative stress was assessed by estimating malondialdehyde (MDA), a lipid peroxidation product in the form of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances. Antioxidants in the form of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase (CAT), vitamin C and E were measured in both the groups. Results On comparative evaluation, SOD, GPx and vitamin C levels were significantly decreased (p <0.001) whereas MDA and CAT levels were significantly increased (p <0.001) in postmenopausal females as compared to premenopausal females. However, there was no significant difference in levels of vitamin E in both the groups (p >0.05). Conclusion Risk of oxidative stress in postmenopausal females is greater as compared to premenopausal females and many of the health problems of menopause may be related to increased oxidative damage. Top Keywords Menopause, Free radicals, Lipid peroxidation, Antioxidants. Top |