Plasma protein carbonyl content is proposed as a stable marker of oxidative damage of proteins. Values of protein carbonyls in relation to lipid peroxidation values (conjugated dienes of fatty acids) as well as to antioxidative parameters (vitamins C, E, β-carotene and uric acid) were assessed in plasma of an ethnic group of Romany minority (n=70) and compared with those values in a majority population group (n=79). A positive significant linear correlation between protein carbonyls and lipid peroxidation values and an inverse significant linear relationship of protein carbonyls and vitamin C, vitamin C/vitamin E, β-carotene and uric acid were recorded in connected group of majority and minority subjects. Content of protein carbonyls was significantly increased in Romany group with 26 % of risk values vs. 13 % in majority group. Conjugated dienes of fatty acids were also significantly higher in Romanies and 40 % of subjects had risk values vs. 25 % of majority subjects. Mean levels of vitamin C, vitamin C/vitamin E, β-carotene were significantly reduced in Romanies with high incidence of risk values: 70 % vs. 38 % for vitamin C, 40 % vs. 19 % for vitamin C/vitamin E, 96 % vs. 86 % for β-carotene. The results document an insufficient antioxidative defense in Romany subjects and thus a greater protein oxidative damage.

        Key words: protein carbonyls, vitamin C, vitamin E, adult population.