Oxidative stress status in homeless people

Margit Kaldmae, Erik Salum, Margus Annuk, Jaak Kals, Priit Kampus, Kersti Zilmer, Mihkel Zilmer

Abstract
Despite the fact that homeless people die quite early from heart disease, our study has shown that widely recognized risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD) were in the normal endemic range among people with an unhealthy lifestyle. Recently, an increasing number of studies underline the impact of the pathogenetic role of high-grade oxidative stress in the development of different diseases, including CVD. However, corresponding data regarding homeless people is scarce, and therefore, the aim of this pilot study was to investigate the systemic oxidative stress index via the characterization of two opposite sides of the condition. Blood samples were drawn from 46 homeless (age 44±13 years) and 55 healthy (age 47±4 years) male subjects. Total peroxide and total antioxidant responses were determined from the blood serum and an oxidative stress index was calculated. The comparison between the groups revealed that the homeless group had a significantly (p < 0.001) higher oxidative stress index and lower antioxidant marker compared to the control group. Our data demonstrates pathogenetic systemic high-grade oxidative stress in homeless people at the Mustamae District shelter in Tallinn. Considering early diagnostics, prevention and treatment estimations for CVD, it would be worthwhile to conduct a more comprehensive study of oxidative stress markers.

Key words: Cardiovascular disease; Epidemiology; Lifestyle; Redox status; Risk factors