A study of factors affecting the concentration of serum lipid peroxide in the elderly inhabitants in a rural area]

Among 16 male (mean age of 66.6 years) and 51 female (mean age of 65.3 years) inhabitants of a rural area, the concentration of serum lipid peroxide measured as malondialdehyde (MDA) by Yagi's method was analyzed by physicochemical and food intake items. The MDA level in serum showed a peak of 6.2 nmol/ml at fifties years old in females and showed constant values of 4.6 and 6.1 nmol/ml for females and males, respectively, in those aged 60 more. The MDA level significantly correlated positively to total- or LDL-cholesterol level and urinary K/Cr, thus MDA level seemed to be a risk factor of arteriosclerosis. Fruit intake significantly positively correlated to MDA level in male. The MDA level showed a significantly higher level in the group with both higher total-cholesterol and urinary K/Cr levels, than in the other groups. It is suggested that a high intake of potassium increases the MDA level in the group with higher total-cholesterol level.