Plasma Antioxidant Concentrations Research Articles

Counteract severe heat stress by including different forms of zinc in the rabbit bucks’ diet

The harmful influences of global warming on rabbit reproduction and industry attract global attention. Zinc (Zn) is an important trace element with a wide list of functions in the male reproductive system. The aim of this study was to estimate the effects of different forms of zinc supplementation, as organic (Zn methionine), nano (nano Zn oxide) as indirect way to minimized it impact on environment, and inorganic (Zn sulphate) on physiological parameters, semen quality, anti-oxidative status, hormonal profiles of male rabbits subjected to server heat stress. Thirty-six V-line bucks (6–7 months old, 2842.29 ± 34.46 g weight) were randomly distributed to 4 groups, bucks in 1st group (control group, Con) fed basal diet without Zn supplementation, the 2nd, 3rd and 4th groups fed basial diet with 30 mg/kg of zinc methionine (Zn-Met), nano zinc oxide (ZnO-NPs), and zinc sulphate (Zn-S), respectively for a period of 10 weeks suffered from severe heat stress of environmental ambient temperature (over 32 of temperature humidity index, THI). Semen samples were collected and evaluated for volume, pH, motility, concentration, viability, initial fructose, and seminal plasma antioxidant concentration. Liver, kidney function, hormonal and antioxidant profile were measured in blood serum. The results revealed that, compared to control, all forms of Zn supplementation used significantly improved kidney function (creatinine), serum antioxidant (SOD and CAT), physiological parameters, especially on 1st month of the experiment, and seminal plasma antioxidant (SOD and CAT) of heat stressed bucks. Likewise, semen quality in terms of sperm concentration, sperm viability, and initial fructose enhanced significantly (P ≤ 0.05) by ZnO-NPs supplementation. Zinc methionine supplementation significantly improved liver function and decreased seminal plasma TBARs. Treatments with Zn-Met and ZnO-NPs increased seminal TAC and blood testosterone levels with reduced blood cortisol levels compared to other groups. Severe heat stress could be counteract by inclusion Zn with studied forms Zn-Met and ZnO-NPs at recommended dose (30 mg/kg diet) to improve semen quality and antioxidant status.

Efficacy of licorice extract on the growth performance, carcass characteristics, blood indices and antioxidants capacity in broilers

Some studies have suggested that dietary medicinal plants or herbs may have a variety of biological functions such as anti-inflammatory, antiallergic, antifungal, antioxidative stress, and anticarcinogenic activities. The present study was undertaken to assess the incorporation of the extract of licorice supplementation on the growth performance, carcass yield, blood indices, and antioxidative capacity in broilers. Three hundred twenty unsexed one-day-old Ross 308 broiler chicks were allocated randomly into four groups. Chicks in each group were randomly subdivided into eight replicates of ten chicks. The first group received a basal diet and was considered a control. The respective groups received a basal diet supplemented with 1, 2, and 3 g licorice extract/kg diet. The obtained results indicated that supplementation of licorice extract to broiler chicks resulted in heavier BW and weight gain and a better feed conversion ratio during the experimental periods compared with the control group. However, feed consumption increased during the entire growing period. Supplementing the broiler’s diet with licorice extract led to a higher value of erythrocytes, leukocytes, haemoglobin, plasma total protein, albumin, and antioxidant concentration and a low value in plasma cholesterol, triglycerides, uric acid, urea, and total cholesterol. It could be concluded that the dietary addition of licorice extracts 2 and 3 g licorice extract/kg diet improved broiler chicks' growth performance and physiological status.

211 ASSOCIATION OF PLASMA ANTIOXIDANTS AND COGNITIVE OUTCOMES IN NORTHERN IRISH MEN FROM PROSPECTIVE EPIDEMIOLOGICAL STUDY OF MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION (PRIME) STUDY

Abstract Background Oxidative stress and chronic inflammation have been demonstrated to contribute to cognitive decline in older age and the development of neurodegenerative disorders. Antioxidants have been revealed to help mitigate the effects of the damage caused by oxidative stress and inflammation, but their relationship with cognitive decline is not yet fully understood. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between various plasma antioxidant levels and cognitive status in participants from the Prospective Epidemiological Study of Myocardial Infarction (PRIME) study. Methods 10,600 men were recruited to the PRIME study between 1991-1993 and have been followed up across eleven time points. Baseline health and lifestyle characteristics were assessed, and plasma antioxidants were obtained and quantified. Baseline cognitive status was screened in 2000 using Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). Follow up assessment of cognitive status was performed in 2015 with MMSE and Addenbrooke’s Cognitive Examination-Revised (ACE-R) examinations. Results 2,009 men underwent cognitive assessment in 2000 and 873 men in 2015. At both 2000 and 2015 with the use of the MMSE and ACE-R examinations to assess cognitive status, serum concentration of all the antioxidants except for gamma-tocopherol and lycopene were higher in the men with better cognitive performance at a significant level of p<0.05. Better cognitive performance was associated with more time spent in education and higher level of education achieved at a statistically significant level (p<0.01). Furthermore, those with cognitive impairment were more likely to be older. After adjustments for lifestyle variables with a linear regression model, the only significant variable associated with cognition was time spent in education (B = 0.521, p= 0.02). Conclusion The findings suggest that the concentration of plasma antioxidants is associated with cognitive status. Smoking and education, as well as other lifestyle factors were, demonstrated to have an impact on cognitive status.

Effect of DL-Methionine Supplementation on Tissue and Plasma Antioxidant Status and Concentrations of Oxidation Products of Cholesterol and Phytosterols in Heat-Processed Thigh Muscle of Broilers.

Simple SummaryThe occurrence of oxidative stress is a general problem in high-yielding farm animals. Oxidative stress not only affects animal health, but free radicals generated under oxidative stress conditions can also promote the oxidation of lipids in animal products which are detrimental for the consumer, such as lipid oxidation products. Therefore, prevention of oxidative stress by improving the antioxidant system has high priority in farm animal management. Methionine (Met) is a precursor of glutathione, one of the major antioxidants in the body. Therefore, we investigated the hypothesis that feeding diets with an excess of Met in relation to the requirement for optimum growth improves the antioxidant status by enhancing the formation of glutathione in broilers. We observed that broilers fed diets with an excess of Met had higher concentrations of glutathione in liver and thigh muscle, indicative of an improved antioxidant status, and moreover had lower concentrations of cholesterol oxidation products in heat-processed thigh muscle, in comparison to broilers of the control group. This effect is favorable with respect to animal health and quality of broiler meat.In this study, the hypothesis that supplementation with methionine (Met) as DL-Met (DLM) in excess of the National Research Council (NRC) recommendations improves the antioxidant system in broilers was investigated. Day-old male Cobb-500 broilers (n = 72) were divided into three groups which were fed a control diet or diets supplemented with two levels of DLM in which the concentrations of Met + Cys exceeded the recommendations of NRC by 15–20% (group DLM 1) or 30–40% (group DLM 2), respectively. The three groups of broilers did not show differences in body weight gains, feed intake, and feed conversion ratio. However, broilers of groups DLM 1 and DLM 2 had higher concentrations of glutathione (GSH) in liver and thigh muscle and lower concentrations of cholesterol oxidation products (COPs) in heat-processed thigh muscle than broilers of the control group. Concentrations of several oxidation products of phytosterols in heat-processed thigh muscle were also reduced in groups DLM 1 and DLM 2; however, the concentration of total oxidation products of phytosterols was not different between the three groups. The study shows that DLM supplementation improved the antioxidant status due to an increased formation of GSH and reduced the formation of COPs during heat-processing in thigh muscle.

Antioxidant performances of corn gluten meal and DDGS protein hydrolysates in food, pet food, and feed systems

Protein hydrolysates from corn gluten meal (CGM) and distillers’- dried grains with solubles (DDGS) were prepared with Neutrase and Alcalase, and the antioxidant activity of those hydrolysates in bulk oils, ground pork, canine pet food, and pig feed were evaluated by measuring oxidation stability based on peroxide value (PV) and thiobarbituric reactive substances (TBARS) value. Alcalase-hydrolyzed CGM (CPH-A) and Neutrase-hydrolyzed CGM (CPH–N) had stronger 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity than Alcalase-hydrolyzed DDGS (DPH-A) and Neutrase-hydrolyzed DDGS (DPH-N). The CPH-N showed better prevention on lipid oxidation in both corn oil and fish oil compared with other corn antioxidants. The best oxidation prevention in ground meat was observed with 2 g/kg of CPH-N. Lipid oxidation in pet food containing 2% DPH-A was efficiently retarded by 37.8% reduction at the end of the incubation, and TBARS value of pig feed containing 2% CPH-N was reduced the most compared with other treatments. However, there was no significant difference in growth performance and plasma antioxidant concentration between broilers fed with DDGS or Alcalase-treated DDGS. Overall, CGM and DDGS protein hydrolysates could potentially be used as naturally derived antioxidant in food, pet food, and feed systems with good protection efficiency for lipid oxidation to improve product storage stability.

Plasma Retinol Levels and High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein in Prepubertal Children.

The relationship between C-reactive protein (CRP) levels and plasma antioxidants has been established in adults. However, the association has been rarely investigated in healthy children. Thus, we examined the cross-sectional association of high-sensitivity CRP (hs-CRP) levels with fat-soluble plasma antioxidant concentrations in a cohort of healthy prepubertal children. We determined hs-CRP levels in 543 healthy six–eight-year-old children using a high-sensitivity CRP enzyme-linked immuno sorbent assay (ELISA) kit. The plasma concentrations of lipids, apolipoproteins and lipid-soluble antioxidants (α-tocopherol, γ-tocopherol, lycopene, α-carotene, β-carotene and retinol) were determined using standardized methods. Pearson correlation analysis showed significant correlations between plasma hs-CRP and α-carotene and retinol concentrations. After adjusting by sex, body mass index (BMI) and lipid levels, only the association with retinol remains significant, with children in the highest hs-CRP tertile group (hs-CRP ≥ 0.60 mg/dL) showing significantly lower levels of retinol than those from the tertiles 1 and 2. A stepwise linear regression selected retinol, BMI, apo A-I and sex as predictors of hs-CRP levels, in a model explaining 19.2% of the variability of hs-CRP. In conclusion, in healthy prepubertal children, after adjusting by sex, BMI and lipid levels, hs-CRP concentrations were highly associated with plasma retinol, which is transported in blood bound to retinol-binding protein but were not associated with the lipoprotein-bound antioxidants.

Plasma Lycopene Is Associated with Pizza and Pasta Consumption in Middle-Aged and Older African American and White Adults in the Southeastern USA in a Cross-Sectional Study.

BackgroundThe role of dietary lycopene in chronic disease prevention is not well known.MethodsThis study examined intake of lycopene and other antioxidants from lycopene-rich foods (e.g., pizza and pasta) simultaneously with plasma levels of lycopene and other antioxidants in a representative cross-sectional sample (187 Blacks, 182 Whites, 40–79 years old) from the Southern Community Cohort Study (SCCS). The SCCS is an ongoing study conducted in populations at high risk for chronic diseases living in Southeastern United States. Dietary intake was assessed using a validated food frequency questionnaire (FFQ), and plasma levels of lycopene and other antioxidants were measured at baseline (2002–2005). The participants were classified into tertiles according to consumption of pizza and pasta food groups.ResultsLycopene dietary intake and plasma lycopene concentrations were significantly higher in the highest (tertile 3) compared to tertiles 1 and 2 (both P < 0.01). Total energy intake ranged from 1964.3 ± 117.1 kcal/day (tertile 1) to 3277.7 ± 115.8 kcal/day (tertile 3) (P<0.0001). After adjusting for age and energy intake, total dietary fat, saturated fatty acids, trans-fatty acids, and sodium intakes were significantly higher in tertile 3 than tertiles 2 and 1 (all P <0.01). Vitamin C intake was significantly lower in tertile 3 than tertiles 1 and 2 (P = 0.003). Except for γ-tocopherol being higher in tertile 3 than tertiles 1 and 2 (P = 0.015), the plasma concentrations of antioxidants were lower in tertile 3 than tertiles 1 and 2 (β-carotene, α-carotene, lutein and zeaxanthin, all P<0.05).ConclusionsIn the SCCS population, pizza and pasta were the main sources of dietary lycopene and their intake was associated with plasma lycopene concentration. Diets with frequent pizza and pasta consumption were high in energy, saturated fatty acids, trans-fatty acids, sodium and low in other antioxidants. Future studies of lycopene as a protective dietary factor against chronic disease should consider the overall nutritional quality of lycopene-containing foods.

Biomarkers of oxidative stress study VI. Endogenous plasma antioxidants fail as useful biomarkers of endotoxin-induced oxidative stress

This is the newest report in a series of publications aiming to identify a blood-based antioxidant biomarker that could serve as an in vivo indicator of oxidative stress. The goal of the study was to test whether acutely exposing Göttingen mini pigs to the endotoxin lipopolysaccharide (LPS) results in a loss of antioxidants from plasma. We set as a criterion that a significant effect should be measured in plasma and seen at both doses and at more than one time point. Animals were injected with two doses of LPS at 2.5 and 5µg/kg iv. Control plasma was collected from each animal before the LPS injection. After the LPS injection, plasma samples were collected at 2, 16, 48, and 72h. Compared with the controls at the same time point, statistically significant losses were not found for either dose at multiple time points in any of the following potential markers: ascorbic acid, tocopherols (α, δ, γ), ratios of GSH/GSSG and cysteine/cystine, mixed disulfides, and total antioxidant capacity. However, uric acid, total GSH, and total Cys were significantly increased, probably because LPS had a harmful effect on the liver. The leakage of substances from damaged cells into the plasma may have increased plasma antioxidant concentrations, making changes difficult to interpret. Although this study used a mini-pig animal model of LPS-induced oxidative stress, it confirmed our previous findings in different rat models that measurement of antioxidants in plasma is not useful for the assessment of oxidative damage in vivo.

Hypercholesterolaemia-induced oxidative stress at the blood-brain barrier.

Blood cholesterol levels are not consistently elevated in subjects with age-related cognitive decline, although epidemiological studies suggest that Alzheimer's disease and cardiovascular diseases share common risk factors. These include the presence of an unusual genetic variant, the APOE4 (apolipoprotein E4) allele, which modulates LDL (low-density lipoproteins) metabolism, increases free radical formation and reduces plasma antioxidant concentrations. Together, these risk factors support a mechanism for increased LDL circulation time and free radical modification of LDL. Plasma oxycholesterols, hydroxylated metabolites of cholesterol, are carried by oxidized LDL, and elevated lipids in mid-life are associated with increased long-term risk of dementia. Although brain cholesterol metabolism is segregated from the systemic circulation, during oxidative stress, plasma oxycholesterols could have damaging effects on BBB (blood-brain barrier) function and consequently on neuronal cells. Cholesterol-lowering drugs such as statins may prevent the modifications to LDL in mid-life and might show beneficial effects in later life.

Effects of Micronutrient Supplementation on Concentrations of Vitamins and Minerals, Inflammation and Cardiovascular Risk Factors

There is growing interest in the role of micronutrients (essential trace elements and vitamins) in the optimization of health, and prevention and treatment of diseases. As multivitamin –multimineral supplementation (MVMM) is the most commonly reported supplement, it is important to study the health benefits associated with regular intake. We investigated the use of a particular MVMM supplement, developed by the Pure North Foundation, on blood chemistry parameters and lipid profiles, along with the inflammation marker C - reactive protein, in 100 steel company workers over a one year period of supplementation. According to our study, participants with lower levels of vitamins D, B2, and C before supplementation tended to show higher levels of inflammation. Vitamin D levels correlated with a variety of lipid profile parameters. Analysis of the data after one year of supplementation demonstrated that participants with blood vitamin D concentrations above 30 ng/ml showed decreases in triglycerides, cholesterol to HDL ratio, and improvement of HDL levels. In addition, higher vitamin C levels were associated with lower triglyceride and VLDL levels. Blood concentrations of vitamin C, D, and E increased substantially as a result of supplementation, but coenzyme Q10 levels, lutein, lycopene, and vitamin A levels were not greatly affected. Furthermore, looking into the distinction between smokers and non-smokers, our data indicate that improvements in antioxidant levels during MVMM supplementation are less dramatic in smokers. After one year supplementation, smokers had lower plasma antioxidant concentrations than nonsmokers. The greatest differences were found with lycopene, lutein, and vitamin A, while improvements in vitamin C, vitamin D and vitamin E were practically the same for both groups. Smokers had less improvement of the health score in comparison with non-smokers. For all participants, half year and one year of supplementation eliminated very low health scores, and increased the number of people with high scores.

Oxidative stress is involved in fatigue induced by overnight deskwork as assessed by increase in plasma tocopherylhydroqinone and hydroxycholesterol

In this study, we examined the relationship between fatigue and plasma concentrations of antioxidants and lipid peroxidation products. Fourteen healthy volunteers performed overnight desk work for 18h then took a nap for 4h. Participants answered questionnaires of subjective symptoms of fatigue (QSSF) and completed a self-assessment of fatigue using a visual analog scale (VAS). At each test time, they underwent a critical flicker frequency (CFF) test and blood samples were collected. Plasma levels of α-tocopherol (αT) decreased and α-tocopherylquinone (αTQ), the oxidation product of αT, increased. The ratio of 7β-hydroxycholesterol (7β-OHCh), the oxidation product of cholesterol, against total cholesterol increased until the end of experiment. αTQ levels correlated with VAS and QSSF scores. The ratio of 7β-OHCh to total cholesterol and the value of CFF showed a significant correlation. From these results, plasma levels of αTQ and 7β-OHCh are useful and objective indicators of fatigue induced by overnight deskwork.

Molecular targets of dietary phytochemicals for the alleviation of heat stress in poultry

Heat stress compromises performance and productivity through reducing feed intake, while decreasing nutrient utilisation, growth rate, egg production, egg quality and feed efficiency, leading to economic losses in poultry. High temperatures can lead to oxidative stress associated with a reduced antioxidant status in the bird in vivo, as reflected by increased oxidative damage and lowered plasma concentrations of antioxidants. Several strategies are currently available to alleviate the negative effects of high environmental temperature on the performance of poultry. However, as it is expensive to cool buildings in which animals are housed, many efforts are focused on dietary manipulation. In terms of reducing the negative effects of environmental stress, antioxidants are used in poultry feed because of the reported benefits of these supplements, including their anti-stress effects. In this review, the mode of action of these supplements is investigated, and evidence is presented showing that phytochemicals can alter several cell signalling pathways. The agents include epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG; green tea), lycopene (tomato) and resveratrol (red grapes, peanuts and berries). The cell-signalling pathways inhibited by EGCG include transcription factors (nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB)) and nuclear factors (erythroid-derived 2-like 2 (Nrf2)) and activator protein-1 (AP-1) that regulate cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). This review will also address some of the mechanisms proposed for the heat stress preventive activity of EGCG, lycopene and resveratrol focusing on the induction of antioxidant enzymes (phase II enzymes) through the activation of the antioxidant response element (ARE) transcription system.

Values of lipid and DNA damage in dependence to smoking and plasma antioxidant concentrations

Smoking is one of the major lifestyle factors influencing the health. Cigarette smoke contains many oxidants, pro-oxidants, free radicals, reducing agents and tobacco-specific carcinogens which can be implicated in the pathogenesis of ischemic heart disease, obstructive lung disease and cancer. Oxidants in cigarette smoke generate oxidative stress which causes oxidative damage to lipids, proteins and DNA. The values of lipid and DNA damage (total peroxides, malondialdehyde, oxidized LDL in plasma, lymphocyte oxidized purines and oxidized pyrimidines) as well as the plasma vitamin concentrations (vitamin C, vitamin E, beta-carotene) were measured in two groups of apparently healthy adults of general population (65 non-smokers and 61 light smokers). Each group was divided into two subgroups with optimal vs suboptimal plasma vitamin concentrations (vitamin C > 50 vs 5.2 vs 0.4 vs < 0.4 µmol/l). The smokers consumed manufactured filter-cigarettes (less than 20 per day) in average number of 9.1 and 8.4 cigarettes per day with duration of smoking for 18 and 16 years for optimal vitamin and suboptimal vitamin groups, respectively. All parameters of lipid and DNA oxidation were found significantly higher in groups of suboptimal vs optimal plasma vitamin concentrations, but in smoking group the increase was more expressed (by 31.6-35.2% vs 8.9-20.9%). Significantly increased values of all oxidative damage values were seen in smokers vs non-smokers with suboptimal vitamin values, while in groups with optimal vitamin concentrations no changes were observed. In conclusion, oxidative stress induced by cigarette smoking increases the lipid and DNA damage at condition of suboptimal, insufficient plasma vitamin values. Optimal vitamin plasma concentrations seem to be protective against harmful effects of free radical in smoke.

Validation of an FFQ to assess short-term antioxidant intake against 30 d food records and plasma biomarkers.

To validate a brief FFQ developed for capturing short-term antioxidant intake in a sample of US college students. A seventy-four-item antioxidant FFQ was developed based on major antioxidant sources in the American diet. The FFQ was validated against 30 d food records (FR) and plasma antioxidant concentrations. The reliability of the FFQ was evaluated by two FFQ administered at a 1-month interval. Settings University of Connecticut, CT, USA. Sixty healthy college students. Estimates of dietary antioxidants from the FFQ were moderately to highly correlated with those estimated from the 30 d FR (r = 0·29-0·80; P < 0·05) except for γ-tocopherol and β-cryptoxanthin. Total antioxidant capacity from diet only or from diet and supplements estimated by the 30 d FR and FFQ were highly correlated (r = 0·67 and 0·71, respectively; P < 0·0001). The FFQ categorized 91 % of participants into the same or adjacent tertiles of antioxidant intake as the 30 d FR. Most dietary carotenoids estimated from the FFQ were correlated with plasma levels (P < 0·05). Correlation coefficients for test-retest reliability ranged from 0·39 to 0·86. More than 94 % of the participants were classified in the same or adjacent tertiles between the two administrations of the FFQ. The brief FFQ demonstrated reasonable validity for capturing a comprehensive antioxidant intake profile. This FFQ is applicable in epidemiological or clinical studies to capture short-term antioxidant intake or to simply document the variations of antioxidant intake in intervention trials. Cross-validation studies are warranted in other target populations.

Vegetables and PUFA‐rich plant oil reduce DNA strand breaks in individuals with type 2 diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is a multifactorial disease associated with increased oxidative stress, which may lead to increased DNA damage. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a healthy diet on DNA oxidation in diabetics and nondiabetics. Seventy-six diabetic and 21 nondiabetic individuals participated in this study. All subjects received information about the benefits of a healthy diet, while subjects randomly assigned to the intervention group received additionally 300 g of vegetables and 25 mL PUFA-rich plant oil per day. DNA damage in mononuclear cells (Comet Assay), urinary excretion of 8-oxo-7-hydro-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-oxodG) and 8-oxo-7,8-dihydroguanosine (8-oxoGuo) and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) were measured at baseline, after 4, 8 (end of intervention), and 16 weeks. The intervention with vegetables and PUFA-rich oil led to a significant increase in plasma antioxidant concentrations. Diabetic individuals of the intervention group showed a significant reduction in HbA1c and DNA strand breaks. Levels of HbA1c were also improved in diabetics of the information group, but oxidative damage to DNA was not altered. Urinary 8-oxodG and 8-oxoGuo excretion remained unchanged in both groups. This study provides evidence that a healthy diet rich in antioxidants reduces levels of DNA strand breaks in diabetic individuals.

Study on enhanced absorption of phenolic compounds of Lactobacillus‐fermented turmeric (Curcuma longa Linn.) beverages in rats

SummaryLactobacillus plantarum, used as starter culture to produce turmeric beverages, was isolated and screened from the turmeric rhizomes. Fermented turmeric beverages were evaluated for its antioxidant activity using 2‐2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical‐scavenging activity and ferric‐reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay. The fermentative process resulted in an increase in antioxidant activity. The absorption of turmeric powder, turmeric powder‐mixed encapsulated probiotic (TP) and encapsulated fermented turmeric beverage (TB) in rats was measured in terms of antioxidant activity in the plasma. Plasma antioxidant concentration was higher in rats administrated fermented turmeric beverage than other turmeric products, at all the time points. The maximum concentration (Cmax) value and area under the plasma concentration versus time curve (AUC) were higher in the rat administered with TB. The value was lower in the plasma of rats administered with turmeric powder and TP. The results indicated that the fermentative turmeric possesses better bioavailability and in accordance with the concentrations of polyphenolic compounds in the rat plasma.

Major metabolite of F2-isoprostane in urine may be a more sensitive biomarker of oxidative stress than isoprostane itself

There is limited literature on the contributors to isoprostane metabolite 2,3-dinor-5,6-dihydro-15-F(2t)-isoprostane (15-F(2t)-IsoP-M) compared with F(2)-isoprostanes (F(2)-IsoPs) as an oxidative stress biomarker. The objective of this study was to investigate whether plasma concentrations of antioxidants, urinary excretion rates of polyphenols, and antioxidants in food and dietary supplements are attributable to both urinary F(2)-IsoP and 15-F(2t)-IsoP-M concentrations. Dietary intake information and blood and urine samples were obtained from 845 healthy middle-aged and elderly female participants of the Shanghai Women's Health Study. Urinary isoprostanes (F(2)-IsoPs and 15-F(2t)-IsoP-M) were measured and adjusted for creatinine concentrations. Urinary 15-F(2t)-IsoP-M and F(2)-IsoP concentrations were lower in subjects who used a multivitamin. Lower F(2)-IsoP concentrations were observed in ginseng users, whereas lower concentrations of 15-F(2t)-IsoP-M were shown in subjects who used a vitamin E supplement. Plasma concentrations of several antioxidants (ie, β-carotenes, both trans and cis β-carotenes, lycopene other than trans, 5-cis and 7-cis isomers, cis anhydrolutein, and cis β-cryptoxanthin) were inversely associated with 15-F(2t)-IsoP-M but not with F(2)-IsoPs, whereas β-, γ-, and δ-tocopherols were positively associated with 15-F(2t)-IsoP-M but not with F(2)-IsoPs. Urinary polyphenol quercetin was positively associated with both F(2)-IsoPs and 15-F(2t)-IsoP-M. The results suggest that the F(2)-IsoP major metabolite 15-F(2t)-IsoP-M may be a more sensitive marker of endogenous oxidative stress status than are F(2)-IsoPs in the assessment of effects of antioxidants on age-related diseases.

PM10-induced Hospital Admissions for Asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Evidence suggests that oxidative stress is a unifying feature underlying the toxic actions of particulate matter (PM). We have investigated whether individual plasma antioxidant concentrations (uric acid and vitamins C, A, and E) and 10 antioxidant genes modify the response to PM with respect to hospital admissions for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or asthma. Using a bidirectional, hospital-based, case-crossover study, 209 patients admitted for asthma or COPD to the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital (London), with 234 admissions, were recruited between May 2008 and July 2010. PM10 levels in the area of Kensington and Chelsea at the time of admission were compared with the levels 14 days before and 14 days after the event. Conditional logistic regression was used to estimate the effect of PM10 at several temporal lags, while controlling for confounders. An increase in asthma/COPD admission rate was related to a 10 μg/m increase in PM10, with the highest effect noted 0-3 days before the exacerbation (for lag 0-3, odds ratio = 1.35 [95% confidence interval = 1.04-1.76]). Serum vitamin C modified the effect of PM10 on asthma/COPD exacerbations. A similar (although weaker) influence was observed for low levels of uric acid and vitamin E, whereas vitamin A showed no effect modification. GSTP1 (rs1695), SOD2 (rs4880), and Nrf2 (rs1806649) were associated with a trend toward an increased risk of hospital admissions during periods of high PM10 levels. Our study suggests that the concentration of antioxidants in patients' serum modifies the short-term effects of PM10 on asthma and COPD exacerbations.

Female Futsal Players’ Profile and Biochemical Alterations through Intermittent High-Intensity Exercise Training

The aim of the study was to determine the physical, physiological and nutritionalcharacteristics of female futsal players and selected markers of oxidative stress after their exercise training (Loughborough Intermittent Shuttle Test). Eight health female futsal players (age 21.3 ± 3.2 years, body mass 64.5 ± 5.6 kg, height 169.5 ± 6.5 cm, body mass index 22.45 ± 2.25 kg/m2; mean ± SD) participated in this study. Blood samples were collected before, during and immediately after the exercise for glucose, lactate, ascorbic acid, total plasma antioxidant potential, lipid hydroperoxides, malondialdehyde and creatine kinase concentrations. Female futsal players appeared to meet caloric needs but failed to meet minimum carbohydrate and vitamin A, C and E recommendations. Immediately after the exercise there were an increase in lipid hydroperoxides (ranging from 9.32 ± 1.86 μmol?L–1 to 13.02 ± 1.62 μmol?L–1, p –11 to 3.29 ± 0.62 nmol?L–1, p –1 to 185.59 ± 6.96 U.I..L–1, p < 0.05). In parallel, ascorbic acid and total plasma antioxidant potential had a slight decrease during and after exercise. Considering that alterations in oxidative stress parameters associated with inadequate ingestion of nutrients can affect health and performance of game players, further studies are needed to evalu- ate the inclusion of an nutritional education program and extent of biochemical changes through athlete’s recovery pe- riod.

Effect of vitamin supplementation on lung injury and running performance in a hot, humid, and ozone‐polluted environment

In this study, the effect of vitamin C and E supplementation on lung injury and performance of runners were analyzed. Using a randomized, double-blinded, crossover design, nine runners participated in two experimental trials: a 2-week Vitamin trial (vitamin C = 500 mg/day + vitamin E = 100 IU/day) and a 2-week Placebo trial. At the end of each supplementation period the runners performed an 8-km time-trial run in a hot (31°C), humid (70% rh), and ozone-polluted (0.10 ppm O(3)) environmental chamber. Nasal lavage and blood samples were collected pre-, post-, and 6-h post-exercise to assess antioxidant status and CC16 as lung injury marker. Higher plasma (pre- and post-exercise) and nasal lavage (post-exercise) antioxidant concentration were found for the Vitamin trial. Nevertheless, this did not result in performance differences (Vitamin trial: 31:05 min; Placebo trial: 31:54 min; P = 0.075) even though significant positive correlations were found between antioxidant concentration and improvement in time to complete the run. CC16 was higher post-exercise in the Placebo trial (P < 0.01) in both plasma and nasal lavage. These findings suggest that antioxidant supplementation might help to decrease the lung injury response of runners when exercising in adverse conditions, but has little effect on performance.