The traditional Japanese diet with its high intake of fruits and vegetables that are rich in antioxidants is believed to effectively ward off cardiovascular disease. Oxidative stress, related to reactive oxygen and nitrogen species produced by aerobic organisms, is responsible for the pathogenesis of most chronic diseases. Oxidative low density lipoprotein (LDL) is thought to play a key role in the pathogenesis of early atherosclerosis. There has been increasing interest in antioxidant substances derived from edible plants. It has been suggested that the measurement of LDL antioxidant activity is physiopathologically more important and informative for screening antioxidant activity to prevent atherosclerosis than other methods. We assessed by LDL oxidation assay the antioxidant characteristics of various edible plants from rural areas. The mulberry (Morus alba L.) leaf showed comparatively high antioxidant activity. We identified the antioxidant compounds and investigated compound levels in the mulberry leaf and found the antioxidant activity of mulberry leaves to be mainly attributable to quercetin 3-(6-malonylglucoside) (Q3MG). Dietary consumption of mulberry leaves and/or Q3MG may enhance resistance to oxidative modification of LDL and attenuated atherosclerotic lesion development. However, the outcome of intervention trials suggested that a single antioxidant had little effect on the risk of developing cardiovascular disease. The synergic effect of certain combinations may determine outcome. We need to widen our understanding of the synergic effect of diets and nutrient-gene interactions related to nutrient/disease risk.
Antioxidants ; seconds ; Low density lipoprotein cholesterol measurement ; Pathogenesis ; Oxidative Dietary Supplements

We developed a dietary supplement using natural herbs and nutrients for the growth and exercise performance improvement. It called 50-22 supplement containing distilled extracts of natural herbs to remove bitterness and the addition of Vitamin B1, B6, Ca and xylitol. We investigated on the effect of 10-22 supplementation on the maximal exercise performance, IGF-1 (insulin like growth factor-1) concentration and antioxidant activity in SD rat model. In result, JR-22 supplement group was better than control group about 10% in exercise performance test and increased about 63% of IGF-1 concentration in blood. In addition, the oxidative damage induced by exercise was reduced by JR-22 supplementation. Therefore, we suggested that 50-22 supplementation enhanced effectively exercise performance and IGF-1 concentration and reduced to oxidative stress in muscles. Also, we analysed biochemical factors in blood for the safety of JR-22 supplement. We known that there is no change of blood lactic acid, ammonia, inorganic phosphorous ion and creatine kinase activity.
Ammonia ; Creatine Kinase ; Dietary Supplements* ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor I ; Lactic Acid ; Models, Animal ; Muscles ; Oxidative Stress ; Thiamine ; Xylitol

Glutathione (GSH) is a naturally produced tripeptide composed of glutamine,glycine,and cysteine. GSH has several important metabolic and regulatory functions in our body but it is most popular for its antioxidant role. Oxidative stress states such as chronic diseases or low protein levels can deplete intracellular glutathione. Glutathione levels may be increased by correcting any protein deficiency, administering glutathione supplements or other precursors, usually by oral or intravenous routes. Glutathione supplements are generally considered safe to administer either intravenously or orally. Dermatologists need basic knowledge about glutathione supplements need to be scientifically studied by dermatologists before these supplements become part of our therapeutic options.

Human ; Antioxidants ; Biological Products ; Chronic Disease ; Cysteine ; Dermatologists ; Dietary Supplements ; Glutamine ; Glutathione ; Glycine ; Oxidative Stress ; Protein Deficiency

The effect of lycopene supplementation on the antioxidant system was investigated by analyzing lipid peroxide levels, glutathione contents, and antioxidant enzyme activities in Mongolian gerbils fed a high fat diet. Gerbils were fed on each experimental diet for 6 weeks; normal diet (NC), normal diet with 0.05% lycopene (NL), high fat diet (HF), and a high fat diet with 0.05% lycopene (HFL). Dietary supplementation of lycopene increased hepatic lycopene level in gerbils fed a normal or high fat diet (P < 0.05). Liver and erythrocyte concentrations of lipid peroxide increased in gerbils fed a high fat diet, whereas lycopene supplementation decreased liver and erythrocyte concentrations of lipid peroxide (P < 0.05). Hepatic total glutathione content was higher in the NL group than that in the NC group (P < 0.05). Total antioxidant status in plasma increased following lycopene supplementation compared with that of the non-lycopene supplemented groups (P < 0.05). Hepatic catalase activity increased following dietary lycopene supplementation (P < 0.05). Superoxide dismutase activity in liver remained unchanged with lycopene supplementation, but erythrocyte superoxide dismutase activity increased in NL group compared with NC group (P < 0.05). Glutathione-S-transferase activity increased in the NL group compared to NC group (P < 0.05). Liver and erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase activity increased significantly in the NL group compared to that in the HF group (P < 0.05). Liver glutathione reductase activity was higher in the NL group than that in the NC group (P < 0.05). These results suggest that lycopene supplementation may be efficient for preventing chronic diseases induced by oxidative stress related to high fat diet.
Carotenoids ; Catalase ; Chronic Disease ; Diet ; Diet, High-Fat ; Dietary Supplements ; Erythrocytes ; Gerbillinae ; Glutathione ; Glutathione Peroxidase ; Glutathione Reductase ; Liver ; Oxidative Stress ; Plasma ; Superoxide Dismutase

Smoking has been known to exacerbate the initiation and propagation of oxidative stresses. Efforts have been made to reduce the smoking-induced oxidative stresses using commercial dietary supplements. Propolis is the resinous substance collected by bees from the leaf buds and bark of trees, especially poplar and conifer trees. In this trial, we examined whether a daily supplementation of 800 mg propolis can protect endogenous lymphocytic DNA damage and modulate antioxidative enzyme activities and the level of antioxidant vitamin in smokers using a placebo-controlled, double-blinded cross-over trial. After two weeks of running-in period, 29 smokers (mean age 34.38 +/- 1.73) received 6 tablets/day of either propolis or placebo pills for 4 weeks. After 2 weeks of washout period the subjects switched they pills for cross-over study. The degree of DNA damage (assessed by tail DNA, tail length and tail moment) was not significantly changed with propolis intake or placebo intake. Similarly, total antioxidant status (TAS) remained at the same level regardless of the treatment. Erythrocyte catalase, glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), superoxide dismutase (SOD), plasma vitamin C and tocopherol level did not differ before and after propolis treatment, and did not differ between treatments. Putting all these results together, we would suggest that it is still too early to claim that propolis possess antioxidative activities.
Ascorbic Acid ; Bees ; Catalase ; Coniferophyta ; Cross-Over Studies ; Dietary Supplements ; DNA ; DNA Damage ; Erythrocytes ; Glutathione Peroxidase ; Lymphocytes ; Oxidative Stress ; Plasma ; Propolis ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Superoxide Dismutase ; Tocopherols ; Trees ; Vitamins

Chronic pelvic pain is a common condition in women of reproductive age and can be described as chronic nociceptive, inflammatory and neuropathic pain characterized by spontaneous pain or a response to various stimuli. Oxidative stress is a component of the inflammatory reaction associated with pain processes. Iron and NF-kappaB are well-known inducers of oxidative stress, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) are associated with chronic pelvic pain and play an important role in the regulation of genes expressing immunoregulators, cytokines, and other molecules. Chronic pelvic pain treatment is often unsatisfactory and limited to symptom control. However, dietary treatment with antioxidants can improve the function of the immune system and overcome free radical damage. Therefore, dietary supplementation is suggested as a means to treat some chronic medical conditions that respond poorly to medication. In summary, dietary treatment with antioxidants could be considered for new strategy for treatment of chronic pelvic pain and may be better tolerated by patients than current treatments.
Antioxidants ; Cytokines ; Dietary Supplements ; Female ; Humans ; Immune System ; Inflammation ; Iron ; Neuralgia ; NF-kappa B ; Oxidative Stress ; Pelvic Pain ; Reactive Oxygen Species

Animals ; Antioxidants ; pharmacology ; Cerebellum ; cytology ; Dietary Supplements ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Fruit ; chemistry ; Male ; Muscle Fatigue ; drug effects ; Neurons ; drug effects ; pathology ; Oxidative Stress ; drug effects ; Physical Exertion ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Vegetables ; chemistry

Polyphenol-rich grape seeds have a beneficial effect on human health. The present study was performed to investigate the effects of grape seeds on antioxidant activities in rats. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into a control diet group (C), a high-fat diet group (HF), a 5% grape seed-supplemented control diet group (G), and a 5% grape seed-supplemented high-fat diet group (HG). Dietary supplementation with grape seeds reduced serum concentrations of lipid peroxides compared with those in the C and HF groups. The hepatic level of lipid peroxides decreased significantly in the grape seed groups compared with that in the C and HF groups. Superoxide dismutase activity in the G group increased significantly compared with that in the C group. Catalase activity tended to be higher by feeding grape seeds. The grape seed diet increased glutathione peroxidase activity in the C group. Glutathione-S-transferase activity increased significantly in the G group compared with that in the C group. Hepatic content of total glutathione increased significantly in the HG group but decreased significantly in the HF group. The ratio of reduced glutathione and oxidized glutathione increased by feeding the grape seed diet. Total vitamin A concentration was significantly higher in HG group than in other groups. Liver tocopherol content of the G and HG groups was significantly higher than that of the control groups. These results suggest that dietary supplementation with grape seeds is beneficial for suppressing lipid peroxidation in high fat-fed rats.
Animals ; Catalase ; Diet ; Diet, High-Fat ; Dietary Supplements ; Glutathione ; Glutathione Disulfide ; Glutathione Peroxidase ; Humans ; Lipid Peroxidation ; Lipid Peroxides ; Liver ; Male ; Oxidative Stress ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Seeds ; Superoxide Dismutase ; Tocopherols ; Vitamin A ; Vitis

This study is designed to examine the effects of dietary supplementation with vitamin E and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) on the formation of preneoplastic lesions in diethylnitrosamine (DEN) induced rat hepatocarcinogenesis. All Weaning male Sprague-Dawley rats were initiated by a single dose of DEN (200 mg/kg body weight), subjected to twothirds partial hepatectomy 3 weeks later and were sacrificed 8 weeks after DEN initiation. Two weeks after initiation, rats were fed Purina purified rodent diet 5053 (Ralston Purina Rat chow, USA) with 1.5% (15,000 IU/kg diet) vitamin E, 0.5% DHEA and both of those supplemented diet for 6 weeks. Placental glutathione S-transferase (GST-P) positive foci, the activities of catalase, total-glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione S-transferase (GST) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) contents were decreased significantly by vitaimin E supplement. On the other hand GST-P positive foci number, Cu/Zn-superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glucose 6-phosphatase (G6Pase) activities weren't changed by vitamin E supplement. It might suggest that protective effect of vitamin E against hepatocarcinogens is not involved in the formation of the GST-P positive foci but related to the expansion of that. It seemed that vitamin E supplement helped endogenous defense system in carcinogenesis by decreasing TBARS contents, H2O2, organic peroxides. Therefore, vitamin E seemed to protect cell from free radical damage in carcinogenesis . By DHEA supplement liver weight and liver/body ratio were increased, the area and number of GST-P positive foci, the activities of catalase, GR, total GPx, GST and the TBA RS contents were decreased significantly. On the other hand Cu/Zn-SOD and G6Pase activities weren't changed by DHEA supplement. In hepatocarcinogenesis the activities of antioxidant enzymes weren't increased by DHEA supplement. DHEA did not increase the oxidative stress, while DHEA seems to have anticarcinogenic effect in rats hepatocarcinogenesis.
Animals ; Anticarcinogenic Agents ; Carcinogenesis* ; Catalase ; Dehydroepiandrosterone* ; Diet ; Dietary Supplements ; Diethylnitrosamine ; Glucose-6-Phosphatase ; Glutathione Reductase ; Glutathione Transferase ; Hand ; Hepatectomy ; Humans ; Liver ; Male ; Oxidative Stress ; Peroxidase ; Peroxides ; Rats* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Rodentia ; Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances ; Vitamin E* ; Vitamins* ; Weaning

Diabetes mellitus is a multifactorial disease. Particularly, diabetic nephropathy is a serious complication for diabetic patients, yet the precise mechanisms that underline the initial stage of diabetic renal inflammation remain unknown. However, oxidative stress induced by hyperglycemia in diabetes is implicated in diabetic renal disease. We hypothesized that dietary supplementation of antioxidants either VCE (0.5% VC + 0.5% VE) or Comb (0.5% VC + 0.5% VE + 2.5% N-acetylcysteine) improves acute diabetic renal inflammation through modulation of blood glucose levels and antioxidant and anti-inflammatory responses. Experimental animals (5.5 weeks old female ICR) used were treated with alloxan (180 mg/kg) once. When fasting blood glucose levels were higher than 250 mg/dL, mice were divided into 3 groups fed different levels of antioxidant supplementation, DM (diabetic mice fed AIN 93G purified rodent diet); VCE (diabetic mice fed 0.5% vitamin C and 0.5% vitamin E supplemented diet); Comb (diabetic mice fed 0.5% vitamin C, 0.5% vitamin E and 2.5% N-acetylcysteine supplemented diet), for 10 days and then sacrificed. Body weights were measured once a week and blood glucose levels were monitored twice a week. Lipid peroxidation products, thiobarbituric acid reacting substances were measured in kidney. NF-kappaB activation was indirectly demonstrated by pIkappaB-alpha and expressions of selective inflammatory and oxidative stress markers including antioxidant enzymes were also determined. Dietary antioxidant supplementation improved levels of blood glucose as well as kidney lipid peroxi-dation. Dietary antioxidant supplementation improved NF-kappaB activation and protein expression of HO-1, but not mRNA expression levels in diabetic mice fed Comb diet. In contrast, the mRNA and protein expression of CuZnSOD was decreased in diabetic mice fed Comb diet. However, antioxidant supplementation did not improve mRNA and protein expressions of IL-1beta and MnSOD in diabetic mice. These findings demonstrate that acute diabetic renal inflammation was associated with altered inflammatory and antioxidant responses and suggest that antioxidant cocktail supplementation may have beneficial effects on early stage of diabetic nephropathy through modulation of blood glucose levels and antioxidant enzyme expressions.
Acetylcysteine ; Alloxan ; Animals ; Antioxidants ; Ascorbic Acid ; Blood Glucose ; Body Weight ; Comb and Wattles ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Diabetic Nephropathies ; Diet ; Dietary Supplements ; Fasting ; Female ; Humans ; Hyperglycemia ; Inflammation ; Kidney ; Lipid Peroxidation ; Mice ; NF-kappa B ; Oxidative Stress ; RNA, Messenger ; Rodentia ; Thiobarbiturates ; Vitamin E ; Vitamins