Search

Background Inasmuch as female sex hormones can exhibit antioxidative activity, the oxidative-antioxidative imbalance is mechanistically postulated to be involved in menopausal symptoms. Objectives The objectives of this study were to investigate the correlation between the established menopausal index and blood levels of the in vivo antioxidative potential in women. Method Blood antioxidant levels were examined by the biological antioxidative potential (BAP) test and menopausal-like symptoms were determined using the Simplified Menopausal Index (SMI) in 160 healthy Japanese women (mean age 52 years). Results A correlation analysis revealed a significant inverse relationship between the BAP and SMI levels, independent of age and the body mass index. Conclusions The data suggest that menopausal symptoms may be associated with a decrease in antioxidant potential as assessed by the BAP test. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]