The Author of the Studies Cited in the above Letter Responds

Colombo C. , Muti P. , Pala V. Plant-based diet, serum fatty acid profile, and free radicals in postmenopausal women: the Diet and Androgens (DIANA) Randomized Trial. Int J Biol Markers 2005; 20: 169–76.

Alberti A. , Bolognini L. , Macciantelli D. , Carratelli M. The radical cation of N,N-diethyl-para-phenylendiamine: a possible indicator of oxidative stress in biological samples. Res Chem Intermed 2000; 26: 253–67.

Erel O. A new automated colorimetric method for measuring total oxidant status. Clin Biochem 2005; 38: 1103–11.

Gerardi G.M. , Usberti M. , Martini G. Plasma total antioxidant capacity in hemodialyzed patients and its relationship to other biomarkers of oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation. Clin Chem Lab Med 2002; 40: 104–10.

Roxborough H.E. , Mercer C. , McMaster D. , Maxwell A.P. , Young I.S. The ferroxidase activity of caeruloplasmin is reduced in haemodialysis patients. Nephron 2000 84: 211–7.

Shukla N. , Maher J. , Masters J. , Angelini G.D. , Jeremy J.Y. Does oxidative stress change ceruloplasmin from a protective to a vasculopathic factor? Atherosclerosis 2006; Jan 9 (Epub ahead of print).

Iorio E.L. , Balestrieri M.L. d-ROMs test and POX ACT test. Comparison impossible. Clin Chem Lab Med 2005; 43: 457–8.

Lindschinger M. , Nadlinger K. , Adelwohrer N. Oxidative stress: potential of distinct peroxide determination systems. Clin Chem Lab Med 2004; 42: 907–14.

Trotti R. , Carratelli M. , Barbieri M. Performance and clinical application of a new, fast method for the detection of hydroperoxides in serum. Panminerva Med 2002; 44: 37–40.

Vassalle C. , Boni C. , Di Cecco P. , Landi P. Elevated hydroperoxide levels as a prognostic predictor of mortality in a cohort of patients with cardiovascular disease. Int J Cardiol 2005; Nov 14 (Epub ahead of print).

Brambilla G. , Ballerini A. , Civitareale C. Oxidative stress as a bio-marker of estrogen exposure in healthy veal calves. Anal Chim Acta 2003; 483: 281–8.

Yamanaka G. , Kawashima G. , Suganami Y. Diagnostic and predictive value of CSF d-ROM level in influenza virus-associated encephalopathy. J Neurol Sci 2006; Jan 11 (Epub ahead of print).

Incandela L. , Belcaro G. , Cesarone M.R. Oxygen-free radical decrease in hypertensive patients treated with lercanidipine. Int Angiol 2001; 20: 136–40.

Cesarone M.R. , Belcaro G. , Carratelli M. A simple test to monitor oxidative stress. Int Angiol 1999; 18: 127–30.

Benedetti S. , Lamorgese A. , Piersantelli M. , Pagliarani S. , Benvenuti F. , Canestrai F. Oxidative stress and antioxidant status in patients undergoing prolonged exposure to hyperbaric oxygen. Clin Biochem 2004; 37: 312–7.

Hawkins C.L. , Davies M.J. Reaction of HOCl with amino acids and peptides: EPR evidence for rapid rearrangement and fragmentation reactions of nitrogen-centered radicals. J Chem Soc Perkin Trans 1998; 2: 1937–45.

Awadallah S.M. , Hamad M. , Jbarah I. , Salem N.M. , Mubarak M.S. Autoantibodies against oxidised LFL correlate with serum concentrations of ceruloplasmin in patients with cardiovascular diseases. Clin Chim Acta 2006; 365: 330–6.