Antioxidant Vitamins Research Articles

Synergistic Effects of a Novel Combination of Natural Compounds Prevent H2O2-Induced Oxidative Stress in Red Blood Cells

Novel strategies to prevent the “storage lesions” of red blood cells (RBCs) are needed to prevent the risk of adverse effects after blood transfusion. One option could be the supplementation of stored blood bags with natural compounds that may increase the basal load of antioxidant protection and the shelf life of RBCs. In this pilot study, we investigated for the first time potential synergistic effects of a triple combination of well-known anti-oxidant compounds curcumin (curc), vitamin E (vit E), and vitamin C (vit C). Briefly, we established an ex vivo model of H2O2-induced oxidative stress and measured the hemolysis ratio (HR) (%) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) levels in RBCs with or without pre-exposure for 30 min with increasing concentrations of curc, vit E, and vit C and then exposed to 10 mM H2O2. for 60 min. Exposure of RBCs to a triple combination of curc, vit E, and vit C at the highest concentration (100 µM) completely prevented H2O2-induced hemolysis. Surprisingly, we found that pre-treatment of RBCs with curc 100 µM alone completely prevented hemolysis as compared to vit E and vit C alone or in combination at the same concentration. On the other hand, pre-treatment with the triple combination of curc, vit E, and vit C 100 µM was required to totally prevent lipid peroxidation, as compared to curc 100 µM alone, supporting their synergistic effects in preventing RBCs membrane peroxidation. Further experiments are ongoing to investigate the anti-aging effects of the triple combination of curc, vit E, and vit C on cold-stored bags.

Impact of Subacute Heat Stress on Hepatorenal Histophysiology in Wistar Rats and Protective Role of Combined Antioxidants

Aim: This study investigates the impact of subacute heat stress on hepatorenal function and histology in Wistar rats, alongside the protective effects of combined antioxidants (Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and Selenium) Study Design: Sixty rats were divided into control, heat-stressed, and antioxidant-treated heat-stressed groups. Place and Duration of Study: Study was conducted in the Department of Veterinary Pathology and rats were housed in Central Laboratory Animal House, College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, NDVSU, Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh (M.P.), India, from April 2024- Aug 2024 (5 months). Methodology: Serum biochemistry was done at the end of the experiment i.e., on day 30 for parameters such as alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), total protein, blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine. Rats were humanely sacrificed and the liver and kidney were collected for histopathology. Results: Biochemical markers (ALT, AST, BUN, and total protein) and histopathological evaluations revealed significant hepatorenal damage in the heat-stressed group, with marked amelioration in the antioxidant-treated group in both male and female rats. Conclusion: These findings underscore the therapeutic potential of antioxidant supplementation in mitigating heat stress-induced organ damage.

Influence of antioxidants on the morphological and biochemical composition of blood, antioxidant protection of laying chicks

The research was carried out on the basis of the agricultural production complex “Dur-Dur” (Russian North Ossetia – Alania) on laying hens of the “KOBB-500” cross, of which, at the age of 155 days, when transferred to the parent stock workshop, according to the principle of analogous groups, 4 groups of 100 heads each were formed. The duration of this experiment on laying hens was 10 months. It was found that joint feeding of antioxidants vitamin C at the rate of 500,0 g/t and Erytox at the rate of 125,0 g/t of mixed feed to laying hens of the 4-test group contributed to the improvement of hematopoietic function. Due to the synergism of the action of the tested antioxidants, laying hens of the 4-experimental group were distinguished by better indicators of carbohydrate, protein, lipid and mineral metabolism, which, compared to the control, manifested itself in a significant (P > 0,95) increase in blood serum glucose by 0,53 mmol/l, total protein – by 4,48 g/l, alanine aminotransferase activity – by 5,00 units/l and aspartate aminotransferase – by 5,97 units/l, calcium concentration – by 0,73 mmol/l) and phosphorus – by 0,69 mmol/l with a simultaneous decrease in total lipids – by 0,59 mmol/l (P > 0,95) and cholesterol – by 0,93 mmol/l (P > 0,95). In addition, in laying hens of the 4th experimental group, relative to the control, the body’s antioxidant defense processes were optimized due to an increase in the activity of glutathione peroxidase in the blood by 7,31 % (P > 0,95) and glutathione reductase by 19,96 % (P > 0,95).

Systematic analysis of molecular mechanisms of action of essential macro- and micronutrients on the neurotransmitter and vasodilator molecule nitric oxide (NO)

Maintaining adequate levels of nitric oxide (NO) in the blood and other body tissues is necessary for the regulation of vascular tone, blood pressure, maintenance of oxygen metabolism and endothelial function. NO is also involved in regulating the balance of excitatory (glutamate) and inhibitory (gamma-aminobutyric acid) neurotransmission. Nutritional factors profoundly affect NO metabolism. Systematic computer analysis of 26,103 publications by methods of topological approach to recognition allowed to identify the most crucial fields of clinical research assessing relationships between NO metabolism and nutrients: arginine-derived NO synthase-driven NO production, nitrate-containing products, folates and vitamin B12 in NO homeostasis (including the effects of modifications of the vitamin B12 molecule), other B vitamins (B1, B2, B7), antioxidant vitamins (C and E), hormone-like vitamins D3 and A, electrolytes magnesium and calcium, participation of the microbiome in NO production.

Prevalence and risk factors for the development of chronic postoperative pain after cataract surgery in the Age-related Eye Disease Study (AREDS).

Chronic ocular pain impacts quality of life and is often linked to ocular surgery. We assessed the prevalence of chronic postoperative pain (CPOP) after cataract surgery and associated risk factors using a secondary cohort post-hoc analysis of data from the Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS), a multicenter, controlled, randomized clinical trial of antioxidant vitamins and minerals. Ocular pain was determined from item 4 of the National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire (NEI-VFQ-25), administered between 1997 and 2005. We included participants who underwent cataract surgery during the study and reported no or mild ocular pain before first-eye cataract surgery (n=325). Controls (n=283) reported no or mild ocular pain 3 or more months after first-eye cataract surgery; cases (n=42) reported moderate or severe pain 3 or more months after first-eye cataract surgery. Multivariable logistic regression models assessed associations between potential risk factors (age, sex, body mass index, smoking, diabetes, education level, use of anti-inflammatory agents, use of antacids, general health, AREDS treatment group) and CPOP. Of the 325 participants (mean age, 69.7±4.4 years, 59.4% female); CPOP developed in 42 (13%; 95% CI, 9.3 - 16.6%). The average time between cataract surgery and the post-surgery VFQ was 18.4±11.8 months (range 3.0 - 65.0 months). Multivariable analysis did not reveal any statistically significant associations with odds of developing CPOP after cataract surgery. As such, in this AREDS cohort who underwent cataract surgery, 13% developed CPOP, consistent with previous reports from cataract and refractive surgery. Our post-hoc analyses did not identify any significant risk factors for CPOP. PERSPECTIVE: We found a high prevalence of Chronic Postoperative Pain (CPOP) in the AREDS cohort, with 13% of participants who underwent cataract surgery developing CPOP. Post-hoc analysis did not identify significant risk factors for CPOP. Our study contributes valuable insights into a growing area of interest in pain management within ophthalmology.

Targeted nutritional strategies in postoperative care.

Immunonutrition, which uses specific nutrients to modulate the immune response, has emerged as a vital adjunct to perioperative care. Surgery-induced stress triggers immune responses that can lead to complications, such as infections and delayed wound healing. Traditional nutritional support often overlooks the immunological needs of surgical patients. Immunonutrition addresses this oversight by providing key nutrients, such as arginine, omega-3 fatty acids, glutamine, nucleotides, and antioxidants (vitamins C and E) to enhance immune function and support tissue repair. This review examined the efficacy and safety of immunonutrition in surgical settings, guided by the recommendations of the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition and the European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism. Both organizations recommend immunonutrition for high-risk or malnourished patients undergoing major surgery and support its use in reducing complications and improving recovery. The key nutrients in immunonutrition aim to improve immune cell function, reduce inflammation, and enhance wound healing. Clinical studies and meta-analyses have demonstrated that immunonutrition lowers the infection rate, shortens the length of hospital stay, and accelerates recovery. Challenges hindering the clinical application of immunonutrition include cost, logistics, and a lack of standardized and personalized protocols. Future studies should focus on biomarker-driven approaches, pharmacogenomics, and innovative nutrient formulations. Addressing these issues will help to integrate immunonutrition into clinical practice, ultimately improving surgical outcomes and patient recovery.

Combinatorial protective effect of Cinnamomum verum and Stingless Bee Honey against oxidative stress in isoproterenol-induced cardiotoxicity in Wistar rats

Abstract Background Cardiac hypertrophy (CH) is a prevalent consequence of cardiovascular disease, necessitating treatment with synthetic medications that often have adverse effects. Natural products, like Cinnamomum verum (CV) and Stingless Bee Honey (SBH), rich in phenolic compounds, hold promise as safer alternatives. In this study, we investigated the potential cardioprotective effects of CV bark and honey produced by Stingless bee in male Wistar rats. In a 7-day controlled study, rats were randomly assigned into seven treatment groups, receiving either saline (Group I), isoproterenol (ISO) (Group II) or ISO combined with drug interventions of Losartan (Group III), CV (Group IV) and SBH (Group V) along with several combined regimens (Group VI & VII). Biochemical assays were conducted to measure antioxidant enzyme activities (Superoxide Dismutase, Catalase, Glutathione Peroxidase), non-enzymatic antioxidants (Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Reduced Glutathione), inflammatory markers, and oxidative stress levels. Histopathological analysis was also performed. stress markers in cardiac tissues, shedding light on potential therapeutic interventions. Results ISO induces myocardial oxidative stress, characterized by reduced antioxidants, increased oxidative stress and inflammatory markers with elevated collagen content. Our results show that co-administration of CV + SBH effectively attenuated ISO-induced myocardial oxidative stress, outperforming individual CV or SBH administration in restoring antioxidant levels and normalizing oxidative stress and inflammatory markers. Conclusions The results from this study underscore the importance of advancing research on the combination of CV and SBH, which hold significant promise as synergistic therapeutic agents in the treatment of complex diseases, potentially informing future healthcare policies and clinical practices.

Effect of Antioxidant Vitamins and Minerals Supplementation on SOD, GPX, and CAT Induced Acute Ischaemic Stroke Albino Rats

Effect of Antioxidant Vitamins and Minerals Supplementation on SOD, GPX, and CAT Induced Acute Ischaemic Stroke Albino Rats

Effect of Antioxidants on the Gut Microbiome Profile and Brain Functions: A Review of Randomized Controlled Trial Studies.

Antioxidants are widely recognized for their potential health benefits, including their impact on cognitive function and gut microbiome modulation. Understanding these effects is essential for exploring their broader clinical applications. This review aims to evaluate the effects of antioxidants on the gut microbiome and cognitive function, with a focus on findings from randomized controlled trials (RCTs). The studies involved human participants across a range of age groups, with interventions encompassing natural antioxidant sources, such as berries, as well as specific antioxidant vitamins. An extensive search across PubMed, SCOPUS, and Web of Science databases identified six relevant RCTs, each evaluated for potential bias. These studies focused on a variety of antioxidant-rich products, including both naturally derived sources and supplemental forms. Antioxidants, including vitamins C, B2, and D, along with polyphenols such as xanthohumol, fermented papaya, peanuts, and berry extracts, demonstrate the potential to support cognitive function and promote gut health through mechanisms that modulate microbiome diversity and reduce inflammation. However, observed changes in microbiome diversity were modest and inconsistent across the studies. While preliminary evidence suggests that antioxidants may benefit gut health and cognitive function, the heterogeneity of existing studies limits their immediate clinical applicability. Additionally, more robust RCTs are needed to substantiate these findings and guide future interventions.

Enhancement of Growth, Antioxidant Activity, and Immunity in Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) Through Recombinant Bacillus subtilis Expressing L-Gulonolactone Oxidase.

Due to its lack of the L-gulonolactone oxidase (GULO) enzyme, Nile tilapia is unable to synthesize vitamin C; thus, it requires an adequate level of exogenous vitamin C in its diet. To enhance antioxidant properties and vitamin C-related effects, we employed recombinant technology to integrate the GULO-encoding gene into the Bacillus subtilis chromosome. In this study, fish were divided into four groups: those fed with a basal diet (CON), a basal diet + vitamin C (VC), a basal diet + wild-type B. subtilis (BS), and a basal diet + recombinant B. subtilis (BS+GULO). After 90 days of the feeding trial, the BS+GULO groups showed the highest improvements in final weight, weight gain, specific growth rate, average daily gain, and relative growth rate. The VC, BS, and BS+GULO groups exhibited increased total immunoglobulin and lysozyme activity; however, only the VC and BS+GULO groups showed elevated alternative complement 50 levels, phagocytic activity and improved antioxidant parameters compared to the control. HPLC and qRT-PCR analyses revealed elevated serum vitamin C and intestinal GULO mRNA levels in the BS+GULO group. A challenge test showed increased pro-inflammatory gene expression and immune response against S. agalactiae in the BS+GULO group, indicating improved antagonistic activity over wild-type B. subtilis.

Current Trend and Outcomes on Immunonutrition in Medical and Surgical Fields: An Updated Perspective.

Immunonutrition, which involves the targeted use of specific nutrients to enhance immune function and mitigate inflammation, has recently become a mainstay for both medical and surgical benefits. This review explores the evolution, mechanisms, and clinical applications of immunonutrition, with a focus on essential nutrients, such as omega-3 fatty acids, glutamine, arginine, and vitamins. These immunonutrients modulate immune responses, reduce pro-inflammatory cytokines, and support tissue repair. Clinical evidence indicates that immunonutrition reduces postoperative complications, shortens the duration of hospitalisation, and lowers the rate of infection, mainly in high-risk surgical patients and those with cancer or chronic diseases. In this regard, nutrients such as glutamine and omega-3 fatty acids have improved the nutritional status and recovery of cancer patients, while omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidant vitamins have exerted an anti-inflammatory effect, improving heart health in patients with cardiovascular disease. Immunonutrition has bright prospects in the management of infectious diseases, where certain nutrients, including vitamin D and zinc, aid in fighting immune defences and reducing the severity of infection. Future studies should investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying immunonutrition and its role in personalised nutrition. This could revolutionise dietary interventions based on genetic and proteomic profiling.

A Comparison of the Electronic Properties of Selected Antioxidants Vitamin C, Uric Acid, NAC and Melatonin with Guanosine Derivatives: A Theoretical Study.

Each cell in the human body is continually exposed to harmful external and internal factors. During evolution, cells have developed various defence systems, divided into enzymatic and non-enzymatic types, to which low-weight molecule antioxidants belong. In this article, the ionisation potential and electron affinity, as well as global reactivity descriptors of Vitamin C, Melatonin, Uric Acids, and N-acetyl-L-cysteine, were theoretically investigated at the MP-2/aug-cc-pVTZ level of theory in the condensed (aqueous) phase. The vertical ionisation potential and electron affinity are discussed in terms of non-equilibrated and equilibrated solvent-solute interactions. Additionally, at the same theoretical level, the electronic properties of canonical and oxidised derivatives of guanine were analysed. The presented results indicate that the selected antioxidants for this study (Vitamin C, Uric Acid, NAC, and Melatonin) exhibit the highest adiabatic electron affinity, while guanine derivatives (Gua, OXOGua, Guo, dGuo, OXOGuo, OXOdGuo) are more prone to adiabatic radical cation formation. A red-ox balance (redox homeostasis) is crucial for intracellular signalling pathways that are reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RO/NS)-dependent. Should this gentle balance be disrupted, either by an overload or deficit of species, physiological consequences may result, which in turn lead to pathological outcomes. On the other hand, maintaining the stability of the above balance of antioxidants/radicals may result in the improved effectiveness and safety of anticancer radiotherapy/chemotherapy or combined therapies with a subsequent increase in a patient's quality of life.

Parotid and Sublingual Salivary gland as an Indicator of Antioxidant Efficacy in Experimentally Induced Diabetic Rats

The parotid and sublingual glands were considered the most appropriate tissues to study the effects of diabetes mellitus among the major salivary glands. Globally, diabetes mellitus is a major healthcare concern. It affects bodily tissues and organs in a variety of pathological ways, particularly the major salivary glands. Thirty adult, healthy albino rats were divided into three equal groups of ten animals each. Group I was a control group that did not receive any treatment, group II was experimentally induced to have diabetes mellitus using alloxan, a chemical agent that is more or less safe and permanent, and group III was experimentally induced to have diabetes but treated with ascorbic acid (Vit. C), as an antioxidant drug. All rat groups were sacrificed and tissue samples from their parotid and sublingual glands were prepared. The tissue samples studded histologically using Haematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) stain, histopathologically using Periodic acid Schiff's (PAS) reaction to detect carbohydrates, and immunohistochemically using Beta cell lymphoma-2 (BCL2) as an anti-apoptotic marker. Based on the histology, histopathological, and immunohistochemical significant lesions, the obtained results showed common alterations in the parotid and sublingual glands tissues of diabetic rats. However, compared to untreated animals, rats treated with the antioxidant vitamin C showed fewer tissue changes and lesions. According to the study's findings, vitamin C functions as a helpful antioxidant to assist avoid complications from diabetes.

Dietary Strategies to Mitigate Alzheimer's Disease: Insights into Antioxidant Vitamin Intake and Supplementation with Microbiota-Gut-Brain Axis Cross-Talk.

Alzheimer's disease (AD), which is characterized by deterioration in cognitive function and neuronal death, is the most prevalent age-related progressive neurodegenerative disease. Clinical and experimental research has revealed that gut microbiota dysbiosis may be present in AD patients. The changed gut microbiota affects brain function and behavior through several mechanisms, including tau phosphorylation and increased amyloid deposits, neuroinflammation, metabolic abnormalities, and persistent oxidative stress. The lack of effective treatments to halt or reverse the progression of this disease has prompted a search for non-pharmaceutical tools. Modulation of the gut microbiota may be a promising strategy in this regard. This review aims to determine whether specific dietary interventions, particularly antioxidant vitamins, either obtained from the diet or as supplements, may support the formation of beneficial microbiota in order to prevent AD development by contributing to the systemic reduction of chronic inflammation or by acting locally in the gut. Understanding their roles would be beneficial as it may have the potential to be used as a future therapy option for AD patients.

A flavoromics approach to investigate the effect of Saskatoon berry powder on the sensory attributes, acceptability, volatile components, and electronic nose responses of a low-fat frozen yogurt.

Saskatoon berries are grown in Canada and some northwestern states in the United States, and are notable for containing abundant antioxidant polyphenols, vitamins, metal elements, and fiber. To increase consumer interest in and accessibility to Saskatoon berries, some producers have begun to develop processes for refining Saskatoon berries into a powder with an extended shelf life that can be incorporated into a variety of value-added food products. To assess the desirability of this approach, this study sought to determine how the sensory attributes, consumer acceptability, and volatile and non-volatile composition of a plain, Greek-style frozen yogurt (PY) changed when fortified with 16% Saskatoon berry powder (SBP). Greek-style frozen yogurt was chosen as the food to be fortified for this study due to its low fat and relatively high calcium and protein content as well as its popularity among consumers. Descriptive analysis of the two yogurt formulations by 11 participants determined that SBY was higher in berry aroma, berry flavor, and sweetness, and lower in cream aroma, dairy aroma, and sourness compared to PY. SBY was lower in iciness and degree of smoothness and higher in viscosity and mouth coating compared to PY. Untrained participants (n = 112), found no significant differences in color, flavor, and overall acceptability between SBY and PY. However, SBY was significantly less acceptable than PY for texture and aroma. Iciness was the most influential variable related to texture acceptability. For aroma acceptability, berry flavor (negatively related) and berry aroma (positively related) were the most influential attributes. The exposure of Saskatoon berry powder (SBP), PY, and SBY to e-nose sensors showed consistencies in replicate analysis (n = 25 measurements/sample), and cross validation of the PCA showed that the model could sort samples into the correct class with 98.7% accuracy. Key volatile organic compounds (VOCs) responsible for berry and fruity aroma in SBP were also found to be retained in the SBY. Several key phenolic compounds with therapeutic effects such as baicalein, chlorogenate, gallic acid, p-coumaric acid, and syringic acid were also identified in both SBP and SBY samples, potentially indicating that the SBY may retain some of the health benefits associated with the consumption of raw Saskatoon berries.

The Oxidative Stress in Epilepsy-Focus on Melatonin.

Oxidative stress develops when there is an excess of oxidants leading to molecular and cellular damage. Seizure activity leads to oxidative stress and the resulting increased lipid peroxidation. Generally, antiseizure medications reduce oxidative stress, although the data on levetiracetam are ambiguous. Exogenous antioxidants (vitamin E, resveratrol, hesperidin, and curcumin) have been documented to exert an anticonvulsant effect in animal models of seizures and some recent clinical data point to curcumin as an affective adjuvant for the therapy of pediatric intractable epilepsy. Melatonin is an antioxidant with an ability to attenuate seizure activity induced by various convulsants in rodents. Its clinical effectiveness has been also confirmed in a number of clinical studies. Experimental studies point to a possibility that endogenous melatonin may possess proconvulsive activity. Moreover, some scarce clinical data seem to express this view; however, a limited number of patients were included. The anticonvulsant activity of exogenous melatonin may involve GABA-mediated inhibition, while endogenous melatonin may act as a proconvulsant due to a decrease in the brain dopaminergic transmission. Antioxidants, including melatonin, may be considered as adjuvants in the therapy of epilepsy and melatonin, in addition, in patients with epilepsy suffering from sleep disorders.

Formulation and Evaluation of Peel-Off Gel Mask with Tomato Fruit Extract Using PVA Base

Tomatoes have been widely used in society as a homemade mask by mashing them until smooth and then applying them to the face. Tomatoes have health and beauty benefits because they have high nutritional content such as antioxidants lycopene, vitamin C, potassium, folate and vitamin A. Using tomatoes as a mask has benefits for the skin because they have antioxidant activity so they can provide a brightening effect and can prevent aging. Peel-off gel masks are one of the masks that are practical to use, because after drying the mask can be removed immediately without rinsing. Peel-off gel masks are made with a Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA) base as a gelling agent that has the ability to form a film layer so that it is easy to peel off after drying. Evaluation of the peel-off gel mask preparation consists of organoleptic tests, viscosity tests, pH tests, spreadability tests and drying time tests. From the results of organoleptic observations, the resulting preparation is a thick preparation with a distinctive tomato odor and has a brick red color. The evaluation results of the viscosity test, pH test, spreadability test and drying time test showed that the peel-off gel mask preparation met the requirements.

Yogurt Susu Kambing Etawa (Capra aegagrus hircus) dengan Penambahan Daging Buah Alpukat (Persea americana mill.) Sebagai Minuman Fungsional

Yogurt is a drink resulting from fermented milk using lactic acid bacteria. Yogurt production using Etawa goat's milk (Capra aegagrus hircus) was chosen because its nutritional content is quite good and low in lactose. The addition of avocado (Persea americana mill.) flesh to yogurt is expected to increase antioxidant activity and vitamin E levels. This research aims to produce goat's milk yogurt with the addition of avocado flesh as a functional drink that is liked by consumers, has antioxidant activity, and has high levels of high total phenolics and rich in vitamin E. The method used in this research includes the production of yogurt without the addition of avocado flesh as a control yogurt and yogurt with the addition of avocado in various variants. Then sensory analysis was carried out using the hedonic test, analysis of total phenolic content using the Follin-Cicocalteu method, analysis of antioxidant activity using the DPPH method and analysis of vitamin E levels using a spectrometer. The research results showed that the control yogurt was white in color, in the form of a thick, semi-solid liquid, had a distinctive smell, a sour taste, a homogeneous consistency and had a pH value of 4.3–4.8. The results of the sensory analysis test of yogurt with the addition of 20% avocado flesh (Y1) was the product most preferred by the panelists based on the color and aroma attributes, while for the texture and taste attributes the panelists preferred 40% (Y2). The total phenolic compound, antioxidant activity, and vitamin E test results of goat's milk yogurt reached 91.2%, the more avocado flesh was added, the yogurt with the addition of avocado flesh increased significantly with the addition of avocado pulp concentration

Influence of processing of seitan, tempeh, and firm regular tofu on protein and lipid oxidation and Maillard reaction products formation

The impact of production and cooking on protein oxidation, lipid oxidation and Maillard reaction products (MRPs) generation was evaluated for firm regular tofu, tempeh, and seitan, three plant-based alternatives to meat products. Tofu showed higher content of protein-bound carbonyls (25.5 ± 5.4 nmol/mg protein) indicating higher degree of protein oxidation, while seitan exhibited the lowest content of MRPs like N(6)-carboxymethyllysine, as revealed by LC-MS/MS. Through determination of the peroxide value and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances as well as analysis of volatile oxidation compounds by GC–MS, an overall higher lipid oxidation level was found in tofu. Likewise, a mean 92.2 % depletion of naturally occurring antioxidant tocopherol, assessed by HPLC-DAD, was observed in tofu. Furthermore, acrylamide was detected in tofu at 196.0 ± 15.4 μg/kg after frying at 190 °C. This study, therefore, concluded that practices used in tempeh and seitan processing are promising strategies to limit oxidation and Maillard reactions in food.

Oxidative Imbalance in Psoriasis with an Emphasis on Psoriatic Arthritis: Therapeutic Antioxidant Targets.

Psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) are chronic autoimmune diseases characterized by persistent inflammation and oxidative imbalance. Oxidative stress, caused by excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and dysfunction in antioxidant mechanisms, plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of both conditions, leading to increased inflammatory processes and tissue damage. This study aims to review current antioxidant-based therapeutic options and analyze oxidative stress biomarkers in the context of psoriasis and PsA. Based on available literature, key biomarkers, such as malondialdehyde (MDA), advanced glycation end-products (AGEs), and advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP), were identified as being elevated in patients with psoriasis and PsA. Conversely, antioxidant enzymes, such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx), showed reduced activity, correlating with symptom severity. The study also examines the efficacy of various antioxidant therapies, including curcumin, resveratrol, coenzyme Q10, and vitamins C and E, which may aid in reducing oxidative stress and alleviating inflammation. The findings indicated that antioxidants can play a significant role in alleviating symptoms and slowing the progression of psoriasis and PsA through modulation of redox mechanisms and reduction of ROS levels. Antioxidant-based therapies offer a promising direction in treating autoimmune diseases, highlighting the need for further research on their efficacy and potential clinical application.