antioxidant

白髪は健康のしるしという調査結果が発表されて，話題になっています。ただし，イノシシの毛皮調査からの研究です。
年を取ってくると以下のような用語がやたら気になってきました。そういえば白髪とは関係はないけど，昔，東後勝明先生が講演をされたときに，"A receding hairline is a sign of intelligence."というjokeで「つかみの笑い」をとられていたことをふと思い出しました。（UG）

pheomelaninはフェオメラニン　(赤色メラニン色素)のこと。glutathione　グルタチオン（動物の肝臓・筋肉などに広く分布し、酸化・還元反応に重要な役割を果たす酵母）

antioxidant　抗酸化剤（これはおなじみでしょう）

oxidative stress　酸化ストレス（抗酸化レベルが通常より低い状態）

Grey hair could be an indicator of good health: Study

Published on Jul 22, 2012

(KOREA HERALD/ASIA NEWS NETWORK) - Greying hair is typically regarded as an indicator of senility, but new study suggested it may actually be a sign of health, according to a report on Livescience.com.

Researchers from Museo Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales in Spain recently found that some wild boars with reddish furs tend to be more vulnerable to cell damage.

Red fur points to abundant pheomelanin, a pigment that produces colour in fur. Scientists found that more pheomelanin boars have, more likely they are to lack glutathione, an antioxidant. Study researcher Ismael Galvan said the lack of antioxide makes the animals more susceptible to oxidative stress.

On the other hand, boars with grey fur have less pheomelanin in their hair, and are comparatively healthier. 'We found that boars showing grey hair were actually those in prime condition and with the lowest levels of oxidative damage,' said Dr Galvan. 'Far from being a sign of age-related decline, hair greying seems to indicate good condition in wild boars.'

http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/ANN/Story/STIStory_824984.html