Published online Dec 26, 2015. doi: 10.5662/wjm.v5.i4.216
Peer-review started: April 9, 2015
First decision: June 24, 2015
Revised: September 1, 2015
Accepted: September 16, 2015
Article in press: September 18, 2015
Published online: December 26, 2015
Processing time: 250 Days and 19.5 Hours
Despite more than 300 theories to explain the aging process, oxidative stress theory offers the best mechanism to explain aging and age related disorders. Several studies has shown the importance of oxidative stress during aging. PubMed, Science Direct and Springer online data bases are taken into consideration to write this mini-review. Human erythrocytes are most abundant and specialized cells in the body. Erythrocytes were extensively studied due to their metabolism and gas transport functions. Recent studies on erythrocytes have provided us detailed information of cell membrane and its structural organization that may help in studying the aging and age associated changes. The susceptibility of an organism is associated with the antioxidant potential of the body. Erythrocytes have potent antioxidant protection consisting of enzymatic and non-enzymatic pathways that counteract with reactive oxygen species, thus maintaining the redox regulation in the body. The non-enzymatic and enzymatic antioxidants and other biomarkers associated with erythrocyte membrane transport functions are the main content of this review. Biomarkers of oxidative stress in erythrocytes and its membrane were taken into the consideration during human aging that will be the main subject of this mini- review.
Core tip: The aim of present review is to summarize important oxidative stress biomarkers in erythrocytes during human aging. Erythrocyte membrane is rich in lipids and proteins which are easy targets of reactive oxygen species. Erythrocytes are also equipped with antioxidant defense system. Studies on biomarkers of oxidative stress are important in the establishment of reference values in different populations and in studies involving their role in different disease conditions.