The aim of this study was to investigate the potential modulators of erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity in young and apparently healthy individuals. One hundred one individuals (53 women and 48 men) were evaluated for anthropometric measurements, biochemical markers, clinical, dietary, and endogenous and exogenous components of the antioxidant defense system. Statistical analysis was performed to detect differences among subjects by the median of GPx activity. A linear regression model and Spearman correlation coefficients were used to screen the associations between GPx activity and interest variables. Individuals with higher GPx enzymatic activity were older and higher circulating levels of oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) values, but conversely lower nail concentrations of selenium and copper (P < 0.05). The GPx activity was positively correlated to truncal fat percentage values (r = 0.24, P = 0.016), circulating levels of ox-LDL (r = 0.28, P = 0.004), and daily vitamin C intake (r = 0.28, P = 0.007), and negatively correlated to the nail concentration of selenium (r = -0.24, P = 0.026). Interesting, it was noticed that the truncal fat percentage and circulating levels of ox-LDL explained 5.9 and 7.4% of the GPx enzymatic activity. Thus, preventive measures such as adequate antioxidant intake and proper fat percentage would be a priority in the nutritional care of young and apparently healthy individuals.
Keywords: Antioxidant assessment; Antioxidant capacity; Biomarkers; Dietary intake; Erythrocyte GPx activity; Oxidative stress.