Abstract
Beneficial health effects are being claimed for pomegranate juice (PJ). This study aimed to investigate the effect of prolonged PJ ingestion on CYP450 activity and expression and on oxidation status. Mice ingested PJ during 4 weeks, after which pentobarbital-induced sleeping time, total hepatic CYP450 content, activity of CYP 2E1 and expression of the main CYP isoforms were assessed. Damage to lipids, proteins and DNA were evaluated as oxidative cell biomarkers. The levels of hepatic glutathione and the activities and expression of enzymes involved on its metabolism, as well as catalase and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were determined. PJ consumption decreased total hepatic CYP content and the expression of CYP 1A2 and CYP 3A which can affect biotransformation of xenobiotics. Protection against protein and DNA oxidation was found in PJ group. There was also a significant decrease in GSH and GSSG, without change in the GSH/GSSG ratio. All enzymatic activities (glutathione peroxidase, glutathione-S-transferase (GST), glutathione reductase, SOD and catalase) were decreased by PJ treatment. Additionally, RT-PCR results showed that GST and glutathione synthase transcription were also decreased in this group. These results are compatible with a state of reduced oxidative stress in mice ingesting PJ. Supported by FCT (POCI, FEDER and Programa Comunitário de Apoio) and iBeSa (Instituto de Bebidas e Saúde).
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