Abstract
PurposeThe aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of Vernonia cinerea Less. (VC) supplementation and exercise on oxidative stress biomarkers, beta-endorphin release, and the rate of cigarette smoking.MethodsVolunteer smokers were randomly divided into four groups: group 1: VC supplement; group 2: exercise with VC supplement; group 3: exercise; and group 4: control. VC was prepared by wash and dry techniques and taken orally before smoking, matching the frequency of strenuous exercise (three times weekly). Before and after a two month period, exhaled carbon monoxide (CO), blood oxidative stress (malondialdehyde [MDA], nitric oxide [NOx], protein hydroperoxide [PrOOH] and total antioxidant capacity [TAC]), beta-endorphin and smoking rate were measured, and statistically analyzed.ResultsIn Group 1, MDA, PrOOH, and NOx significantly decreased, whereas TAC increased (p < 0.05). In Group 2, MDA and PrOOH decreased (p < 0.05), with no other changes noted (p > 0.05). In Group 3, MDA, PrOOH, NOx, TAC, and beta-endorphin levels increased significantly (p < 0.05). Group 4 showed no change in oxidative stress variables or beta-endorphine levels (p > 0.05). All groups had lower levels of CO after the intervention. The smoking rate for light cigarette decreased in group 2(62.7%), 1(59.52%), 3 (53.57%) and 4(14.04%), whereas in self-rolled cigarettes it decreased in group 1 (54.47%), 3 (42.30%), 2 (40%) and 4 (9.2%).ConclusionSupplementation with Vernonia cinerea Less and exercise provided benefit related to reduced smoking rate, which may be related to oxidaive stress and beta-endorphine levels.
Highlights
Cigarette smoking decreased in Thailand between 1991 and 2007 from 12.2 million to 10.86 million smokers, it has increased among younger men and women
The significance was set at p = 0.05. Participant characteristics for those subjects completed all phases of the study are presented in Table 1 and are as follows: group 1, Vernonia cinerea Less. (VC) supplementation (n = 30); group 2, exercise with VC supplementation (n = 28); group 3, exercise only (n = 26); and group 4, a control (n = 28)
There was no change in group 4 between baseline (82.34 ± 2.34 pg/ml) and after the two month intervention (79.23 ± 2.12 pg/ml). From these results, it can be concluded that VC supplementation in a small group of smokers can reduce oxidative stress and the rate of cigarette smoking per day, but VC had no effect on the β-end level
Summary
Cigarette smoking decreased in Thailand between 1991 and 2007 from 12.2 million to 10.86 million smokers, it has increased among younger men (aged approx. 18 years) and women (aged approx. 22 years). Cigarette smoking decreased in Thailand between 1991 and 2007 from 12.2 million to 10.86 million smokers, it has increased among younger men Cigarette smoke contains an abundance of free radicals and prooxidant species known to negatively influence human health [2]. Increased production of free radicals from tobacco is recognized because of the more than 4,000 chemical substances found in tobacco [3]. Cigarette smoking related ill-health and disease may be mechanistically linked to increased production of free radicals. Nicotine in smoke is known to release neuroendocrine substances, such as beta-endorphin (β-end) [7], found in women smokers with either high doses of nicotine cigarettes or with heavy smoking [8,9]. A previous report showed that nicotine stimulates the pituitary release of the pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) which contains the precursor for β-end [10]
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