IOSR Journal of Pharmacy and Biological Sciences (IOSR-JPBS) e-ISSN: 2278-3008, p-ISSN:2319-7676. Volume 9, Issue 5 Ver. II (Sep -Oct. 2014), PP 25-32 www.iosrjournals.org www.iosrjournals.org 25 | Page The Effect of Fried Palm Oil Supplemented Diet on Enzymatic Antioxidant Status of Aging Mice *Ochei Kingsley Chinedum 1 , Omeh Yusuf Ndukaku 2 , Obeagu Emmanuel Ifeanyi 3 and Obarezi Thompson Ndubuisi 4 1 Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Basic Medicine, Ambrose Ali University, Ekpoma, Edo State, Nigeria. 2 Department of Biochemistry, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture,Umudike,Abia State,Nigeria. 3 Diagnostic Laboratory Unit,University Health Services Department ,Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State, Nigeria. 4 Medical Doctor, University Health Services Department, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State, Nigeria. Abstract: There is increased evidence that reactive oxygen species (ROS) and their promoted oxidative damage are involved in a large number of pathologies, as well as in the aging process. ROS removal rate is mostly controlled by a variety of antioxidants. The extent of lipid peroxidation and antioxidants level, the way they are related to aging and whether they are affected by deep fried palm oil supplemented diet in aging mice was investigated. Standard laboratory methods were employed in the determination of Malondialdehyde (MDA), Catalase (CAT) and Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) activities in the plasma of the experimental animals. It was found that SOD activity in older mice not fed with fried palm oil supplemented diet was higher 24.75±1.96U/L than among younger mice 19.05±6.66 U/L; (P=0.091), and indication of increased production of superoxide radical with age. A significant (P=0.018) increase in SOD activity (43.05±14.91U/L) was observed in older mice fed with deep fried palm oil supplemented diet relative to 24.75±1.96U/L in older mice not fed with deep fried palm oil supplemented diet and 19.05±6.66U/L; (P=0.000) in younger mice, indicating a compensatory response to additional superoxide radical produced through the process of oxidative metabolism of deep fried palm oil supplemented diet. Expectedly, CAT activity increases with increased SOD activity in older mice not fed with deep fried palm oil supplemented diet 461.51±39.05U/L as against 440.10±29.20U/L in younger mice, although not to a statistically significant level (P=0.265). In contrast, a significant (P=0.008) decrease in CAT activity (366.29±63.56U/L) was observed in older mice fed with deep fried palm oil supplemented diet relative to older mice not fed with deep fried palm oil supplemented diet and younger mice (p=0.005). Increased MDA (102.53±1.02µM/L), a marker of lipid peroxidation due to free radicals was observed in older mice not fed with deep fried palm oil supplemented diet relative to 98.74±17.99µM/L in younger mice (p=0.652). However, the consequent increase in SOD activity in response to increased free radical production in older mice fed with deep fried palm oil supplemented diet helped modulate the extent of lipid peroxidation with consequent decrease (91.27±31.37µM/L; p=0.535) in MDA. Therefore, it can be concluded that consumption of deep fried palm oil supplemented diet increases superoxide radical formation, thus should be minimized, if possible avoided especially in ageing. Keywords: Aging, oxidative damage, lipid peroxidation, Reactive oxygen species and Antioxidants. I. Introduction Aging is a multi-factorial process involving morphological and biochemical changes in single cells and in the whole organism. It is the accumulation of damage to somatic cells, leading to cellular dysfunction, and culminates in organ dysfunction and n increased vulnerability to death [1]. However, successful aging refers to the changes due solely to the aging process, uncomplicated by damage from environment, lifestyle, or disease. The gain in survival includes both active and dependent years. The concept of the compression of morbidity i.e., that the time of dependency will decrease as the life expectancy increases, has been popularized but the mean prevalence of disability seems to be getting worse with time, thus decreasing the time of disability present challenges to both clinicians and scientists. With aging, two phenomena occur, physiological decline and an increase in the prevalence of disease. Although these processes influence each other, physiologic decline do occur independent of disease. In healthy older adults, many physiologic fictions are maintained in the basal resting state, but decrements are seen in most organ systems and homeostatic mechanisms when these systems are challenged or stressed. Several theories have been proposed as the scientific basis of aging and suggested possibilities include: (a) encodement of aging in DNA (made manifest in a manner similar to development), (b) progressive