Gender difference in oxidative stress and its genesis by analysis of serum α-tocopherol concentrations in a Japanese population

Magnitude and major origins of oxidative stress may be different between men and women. Serum concentrations of α-tocopherol (T) were determined in 154 apparently healthy Japanese subjects (<50 years, with a mean age of 37 ± 8 years). T (mg/g lipids) were significantly lower in men than in women. T were significantly lower in smokers than in nonsmokers. T were significantly lower in smokers than in nonsmokers among women, while comparable between smokers and nonsmokers among men. Multivariate regression analysis showed that in women, smoking and hyperLDL-cholesterolemia were the significant risk factors for the lowest tertile of T, while in men, hypertriglyceridemia was the only significant risk factor. Oxidative stress appeared to be higher in men than in women. Major origins of oxidative stress appeared to be different between men and women. Exaggerated T exhaustion by smoking-induced oxidative stress was suggested in premenopausal women.