Abstract
Cigarette smoke-induced oxidative stress leads to dyslipidemia and systemic inflammation. Morinda citrifolia (noni) fruit juice has been found previously to have a significant antioxidant activity. One hundred thirty-two adult heavy smokers completed a randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial designed to investigate the effect of noni juice on serum cholesterol, triglyceride, low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and homocysteine. Volunteers drank noni juice or a fruit juice placebo daily for one month. Drinking 29.5 mL to 188 mL of noni juice per day significantly reduced cholesterol levels, triglycerides, and hs-CRP. Decreases in LDL and homocysteine, as well increases in HDL, were also observed among noni juice drinkers. The placebo, which was devoid of iridoid glycosides, did not significantly influence blood lipid profiles or hs-CRP. Noni juice was able to mitigate cigarette smoke-induced dyslipidemia, an activity associated with the presence of iridoids.
Highlights
Cigarette smokers continuously inhale thousands of carcinogens and free radicals
Population-based studies have revealed that markers of systemic inflammation, such as C-reactive protein (CRP), are elevated in smokers as well as those exposed to second-hand smoke [13, 14]
low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL), triglycerides, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and homocysteine were lowered in heavy smokers within 4 weeks of noni juice ingestion
Summary
Cigarette smokers continuously inhale thousands of carcinogens and free radicals. It is estimated that about 1017 oxidant molecules are present in each puff of cigarette smoke [1]. Does cigarette smoke increase oxidative stress by increasing free radicals and by weakening of antioxidant defenses, such as decreasing paraoxonase enzyme activity [19]. These conditions lead to the damage of mitochondria [20], and cigarette smoke may even induce liver injury via lipid peroxidation and corresponding inflammation [21, 22]. Epidemiological studies indicate that fruits and vegetables may reduce free radical-induced oxidative damage and lipid peroxidation in cigarette smokers [23]. The current study was designed to investigate the influence of noni juice on serum cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL, HDL, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and homocysteine levels in current heavy smokers
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