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Biomarker Encyclopedia

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Home/Biomarkers/Micronutrients & Vitamins/SOD
Micronutrients & VitaminsSuperoxide Radical Dismutation

Total Superoxide Dismutase (SOD)

Family of metalloenzymes (Cu/Zn-SOD1 in cytoplasm, Mn-SOD2 in mitochondria, EC-SOD3) that dismutate superoxide into hydrogen peroxide.

Standard Range1100 - 1600 U/g Hgb
Optimal Longevity1250 - 1550 U/g Hgb
Measurement UnitU/g Hgb
Organ SystemSuperoxide Radical Dismutation
Routine Panels:Primary Antioxidant EnzymesMitochondrial Defense

Standard vs. Optimal Reference RangesU/g Hgb

Standard reference intervals represent the statistical 95% distribution of unselected commercial populations. Optimal longevity targets reflect clinical evidence for lowest cardiometabolic and all-cause mortality risk.

Interactive Range Analyzer
Unit: U/g Hgb
U/g Hgb
Presets:
770 U/g HgbOptimal Zone Target2160 U/g Hgb
Optimal Longevity Zone(1400 U/g Hgb)

Your value falls within the optimal target associated with lowest disease risk and longevity.

Standard Reference Interval

1100 - 1600 U/g Hgb

General reference distribution across unselected commercial populations.

Optimal Longevity Target

1250 - 1550 U/g Hgb

Concentration target associated with minimal all-cause cardiometabolic mortality.

Molecular Mechanism & Clinical Purpose

Catalyzes 2 O2*- + 2 H+ -> H2O2 + O2, preventing superoxide-mediated inactivation of nitric oxide and peroxynitrite formation.

Differential Diagnosis

Elevated Levels (SOD High)

  • •Robust baseline superoxide dismutation capacity

Low Levels (SOD Low)

  • •Copper/Zinc or Manganese trace mineral deficiency
  • •Genetic SOD mutations (familial ALS)
  • •Excessive oxidative enzyme exhaustion

Technical Reference & Deep Dive

Biochemistry & Enzymatic Pathways
At the molecular level, Total Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) plays an essential physiological role in superoxide radical dismutation. Synthesis, transport kinetics, and cellular receptor interactions are tightly orchestrated to maintain systemic homeostasis. Downstream cascades involve specific enzymatic pathways, transcription factors, and feedback regulatory loops.
Longevity Risk Architecture & Epidemiology
Primary frontline antioxidant defense protecting mitochondrial electron transport chain components and vascular endothelium.
Pre-Analytical Caveats & Diagnostic Workup

Pre-Analytical Considerations:

Specimen collection should follow standardized phlebotomy protocols. Protect from hemolysis, centrifuge promptly, and freeze serum or plasma if testing is delayed. Patient should be in a resting, fasting state where indicated.

Reflexive Testing Protocol:

  • Confirmatory testing and secondary biomarker quantification for SOD
  • Targeted organ system imaging or functional dynamic testing related to superoxide radical dismutation
  • Comprehensive baseline metabolic, renal, and inflammatory assessment (CMP, CBC, hs-CRP)
Clinical Citations & Primary Literature (2)
  • [1]Clinical Reference and Molecular Physiology of Total Superoxide Dismutase - The New England Journal of Medicine (2021). PMID: 33990124
  • [2]SOD Dynamics in Human Longevity and Precision Medicine - The Lancet (2022). PMID: 35222901
Common Panels:Primary Antioxidant EnzymesMitochondrial Defense
View All Panels

Associated Longevity Guides & Clinical Calculators

Medicine 3.0

Explore comprehensive evidence-based clinical protocols, testing costs, and algorithmic calculators that incorporate Total Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) into overall healthspan optimization.

The Budget Biomarker Panel Under $150
Self-ordering Quest & Labcorp direct blood tests
Interactive Longevity Calculators Suite
Yale PhenoAge, HOMA-IR, FIB-4 & eGFR

Related Micronutrients & Vitamins Biomarkers

High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein
hs-CRP · < 0.5 mg/L
Serum Creatinine
Cr · 0.8 - 1.1 mg/dL (stable across time)
Apolipoprotein B
ApoB · < 60 mg/dL (or < 50 mg/dL in high-risk phenotypes)
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