Dietary Antioxidant Intake Research Articles

Abstract MP20: Cardiovascular Protection by the Mediterranean Diet Differs Across Socioeconomic Groups: Prospective Findings From The MOLI-SANI Study

Introduction: Low socioeconomic status is associated with poor health outcomes and unhealthy behaviors. The traditional Mediterranean diet (MD) has been related to reduced risk of major chronic diseases and mortality and exhibits a socioeconomic gradient. Hypothesis: The association of the MD with cardiovascular risk (CVD) may differ across different socioeconomic status groups. Methods: Population-based cohort study on 18,710 individuals apparently free at enrollment from CVD and diabetes, randomly recruited from the general population of the MOLI-SANI study (Italy). The cohort was followed up for a median of 4.3 years (81,367 person-years). Food intake was recorded by the EPIC food frequency questionnaire. Adherence to the MD was appraised by the Greek Mediterranean diet score. Household income (Euros/year) and educational levels were used as socioeconomic status indicators. Incident CVD events were identified from the hospital discharge records based on ICD-9 codes. Results: We identified 252 CVD events (CHD n=207, stroke n=45). A 2-point increase in the MD score was associated with 16% reduced risk (2% to 28%). The protective effect of the MD differed across educational levels and household income categories (p for interaction=0.042 and 0.0081 respectively) with subjects in the highest category of either education or income reporting a significant reduction of CVD risk in respect to the lowest (HR=0.40;0.23-0.69 and HR=0.38; 0.22-0.64 respectively). In multivariable analysis further controlled for adherence to the MD, nutrient intake varied across socioeconomic strata with those with higher status reporting higher intake of antioxidants and polyphenols (see Table). Conclusions: The protective effect of the MD on CVD risk was only evident within high socioeconomic status groups. At comparable levels of adherence to the MD, differences in dietary antioxidant and polyphenol intakes were apparent across population strata. These nutritional gaps may partly explain the observed socioeconomic pattern of protection.

Associations between dietary antioxidants intake and radiographic knee osteoarthritis.

The aim of the study is to examine the cross-sectional associations between dietary antioxidants (carotenoid, vitamin C, E, and selenium) intake and radiographic knee osteoarthritis (OA). A total of 4685 participants were included in this study. Dietary intake was assessed using a validated semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. Radiographic knee OA was defined as Kellgren-Lawrence (K-L) grade 2 in at least one leg. A multivariable logistic analysis model was established to test the relationship between dietary antioxidants (carotenoid, vitamin C, E, and selenium) intake and radiographic knee OA with adjustment of a number of potential confounding factors. A significant positive association between dietary vitamin C intake (P value for trend was 0.04 in multivariable adjusted analysis) and radiographic knee OA was observed. The relative odds of radiographic knee OA were increased by 0.39 times in the third quintile (OR 1.39, 95% CI 1.11-1.73), 0.42 times in the fourth quintile (OR 1.42, 95% CI 1.13-1.79), and 0.33 times in the fifth quintile (OR 1.33, 95% CI 1.03-1.71). However, radiographic knee OA was not significantly associated with dietary carotenoid, vitamin E, and selenium. Among dietary antioxidants, dietary vitamin C intake was positively correlated with the prevalence of radiographic knee OA, while no significant association was found between dietary intake of carotenoid, vitamin E, and selenium and the prevalence of radiographic knee OA.

Intake of dietary antioxidants is inversely associated with biomarkers of oxidative stress among men with prostate cancer

Intake of dietary antioxidants is inversely associated with biomarkers of oxidative stress among men with prostate cancer

Intake of antioxidants and B vitamins is inversely associated with ischemic stroke and cerebral atherosclerosis.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVESThis study was conducted to examine relationships between dietary habits and intakes of antioxidants and B vitamins and the risk of ischemic stroke, and to compare dietary factors according to the presence of cerebral artery atherosclerosis and stroke subtypes.SUBJECTS/METHODSA total of 147 patients and 144 control subjects were recruited consecutively in the metropolitan area of Seoul, Korea. Sixty participants each in the case and control groups were included in analyses after 1:1 frequency matching. In addition, 117 acute ischemic stroke patients were classified into subtypes according to the Trial of Org 10172 in Acute Stroke Treatment (TOAST) guidelines. Dietary intake was measured using a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire composed of 111 food items and plasma lipid and homocysteine levels were analyzed.RESULTSWhen compared with control subjects, stroke patients had unfavorable dietary behaviors and lower intakes of fruits (73.1 ± 83.2 g vs. 230.9 ± 202.1 g, P < 0.001), vegetables (221.1 ± 209.0 g vs. 561.7 ± 306.6 g, P < 0.001), and antioxidants, including vitamins C, E, B6, β-carotene, and folate. The intakes of fruits, vegetables, vitamin C, and folate were inversely associated with the risk of ischemic stroke after adjusting for confounding factors. Intakes of vegetables, vitamins C, B6, B12, and folate per 1,000 kcal were lower in ischemic stroke with cerebral atherosclerosis than in those without. Overall vitamin B12 intake per 1,000 kcal differed according to the TOAST classification (P = 0.004), but no differences among groups existed based on the post-hoc test.CONCLUSIONSWhen compared with control subjects, ischemic stroke patients, particularly those with cerebral atherosclerosis, had unfavorable dietary intake, which may have contributed to the development of ischemic stroke. These results indicate that proper dietary recommendations are important for the prevention of ischemic stroke.

Nutritional supplement for age-related macular degeneration

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of visual impairment and blindness in the elderly in developed countries but therapeutic options are limited. Many observational studies have shown that a high dietary intake of antioxidants, fish oil, and carotenoids is associated with a l...

Dietary Total Antioxidant Capacity and Colorectal Cancer in the Italian EPIC Cohort.

BackgroundColorectal cancer is the third most common cancer worldwide. Diet has been hypothesized as involved in colorectal cancer etiology, but few studies on the influence of total dietary antioxidant intake on colorectal cancer risk have been performed.MethodsWe investigated the association between colorectal cancer risk and the total antioxidant capacity (TAC) of the diet, and also of intake of selected antioxidants, in 45,194 persons enrolled in 5 centers (Florence, Naples, Ragusa, Turin and Varese) of the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) Italy study. TAC was estimated by the Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) assay. Hazard ratios (HRs) for developing colorectal cancer, and colon and rectal cancers separately, adjusted for confounders, were estimated for tertiles of TAC by Cox modeling, stratifying by center.ResultsFour hundred thirty-six colorectal cancers were diagnosed over a mean follow-up of 11.28 years. No significant association between dietary TAC and colorectal cancer incidence was found. However for the highest category of TAC compared to the lowest, risk of developing colon cancer was lower (HR: 0.63; 95% CI: 0.44–0.89, P trend: 0.008). By contrast, increasing TAC intake was associated with significantly increasing risks of rectal cancer (2nd tertile HR: 2.09; 95%CI: 1.19–3.66; 3rd tertile 2.48 95%CI: 1.32–4.66; P trend 0.007). Intakes of vitamin C, vitamin E, and ß-carotene were not significantly associated with colorectal cancer risk.ConclusionsFurther prospective studies are needed to confirm the contrasting effects of high total antioxidant intake on risk of colon and rectal cancers.

Oxidative costs of reproduction: Oxidative stress in mice fed standard and low antioxidant diets

Lactation is one of the most energetically expensive behaviours, and trade-offs may exist between the energy devoted to it and somatic maintenance, including protection against oxidative damage. However, conflicting data exist for the effects of reproduction on oxidative stress. In the wild, a positive relationship is often observed, but in laboratory studies oxidative damage is often lower in lactating than in non-breeding animals. We hypothesised that this discrepancy may exist because during lactation food intake increases many-fold resulting in a large increase in the intake of dietary antioxidants which are typically high in laboratory rodent chow where they are added as a preservative.We supplied lactating and non-breeding control mice with either a standard or low antioxidant diet and studied how this affected the activity of endogenous antioxidants (catalase, superoxide dismutase; SOD, and glutathione peroxidise; GPx) and oxidative damage to proteins (protein carbonyls, PC) in liver and brain tissue. The low antioxidant diet did not significantly affect activities of antioxidant enzymes in brain or liver, and generally did not result in increased protein damage, except in livers of control mice on low antioxidant diet. Catalase activity, but not GPx or SOD, was decreased in both control and lactating mice on the low antioxidant diet. Lactating mice had significantly reduced oxidative damage to both liver and brain compared to control mice, independent of the diet they were given.In conclusion, antioxidant content of the diet did not affect oxidative stress in control or reproductive mice, and cannot explain the previously observed reduction in oxidative stress in lactating mammals studied in the laboratory. The reduced oxidative stress in the livers of lactating mice even under low antioxidant diet treatment was consistent with the ‘shielding’ hypothesis.

Intake of dietary antioxidants is inversely associated with biomarkers of oxidative stress among men with prostate cancer.

Prostate cancer is the most common non-cutaneous cancer and the second leading cause of cancer-related mortality among men in the USA. Growing evidence suggests that oxidative stress is involved in the development and progression of prostate cancer. In this study, the association between antioxidants from diet and supplements and biomarkers of oxidative stress in blood (n 278), urine (n 298) and prostate tissue (n 55) were determined among men from the North Carolina-Louisiana Prostate Cancer Project. The association between antioxidant intake and oxidative stress biomarkers in blood and urine was determined using linear regression, adjusting for age, race, prostate cancer aggressiveness and smoking status. Greater antioxidant intake was found to be associated with lower urinary 8-isoprostane concentrations, with a 10% increase in antioxidant intake corresponding to an unadjusted 1·1% decrease in urinary 8-isoprostane levels (95% CI -1·7, -0·3%; P value<0·01) and an adjusted 0·6% decrease (95% CI -1·4, 0·2%; P value=0·16). In benign prostate tissue, thioredoxin 1 was inversely associated with antioxidant intake (P=0·02). No significant associations were found for other blood or urinary biomarkers or for malignant prostate tissue. These results indicate that antioxidant intake may be associated with less oxidative stress among men diagnosed with prostate cancer.

Validation of a Food Frequency Questionnaire for Estimating Micronutrient Intakes in an Urban US Sample of Multi-Ethnic Pregnant Women.

To validate the Block98 food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) for estimating antioxidant, methyl-nutrient and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) intakes in a pregnant sample of ethnic/racial minority women in the United States (US). Participants (n = 42) were from the Programming of Intergenerational Stress Mechanisms study. Total micronutrient intakes from food and supplements was ascertained using the modified Block98 FFQ and two 24-h dietary recalls collected at random on nonconsecutive days subsequent to completion of the FFQ in mid-pregnancy. Correlation coefficients (r) corrected for attenuation from within-person variation in the recalls were calculated for antioxidants (n = 7), methyl-nutrients (n = 8), and PUFAs (n = 2). The sample was largely ethnic minorities (38 % Black, 33 % Hispanic) with 21 % being foreign born and 41 % having less than or equal to a high school degree. Significant and adequate deattenuated correlations (r ≥ 0.40) for total dietary intakes of antioxidants were observed for vitamin C, vitamin E, magnesium, and zinc. Reasonable deattenuated correlations were also observed for methyl-nutrient intakes of vitamin B6, betaine, iron, and n:6 PUFAs; however, they did not reach significance. Most women were classified into the same or adjacent quartiles (≥70 %) for total (dietary + supplements) estimates of antioxidants (5 out of 7) and methyl-nutrients (4 out of 5). The Block98 FFQ is an appropriate dietary method for evaluating antioxidants in pregnant ethnic/minorities in the US; it may be less efficient in measuring methyl-nutrient and PUFA intakes.

Antioxidants of Edible Mushrooms.

Oxidative stress caused by an imbalanced metabolism and an excess of reactive oxygen species (ROS) lead to a range of health disorders in humans. Our endogenous antioxidant defense mechanisms and our dietary intake of antioxidants potentially regulate our oxidative homeostasis. Numerous synthetic antioxidants can effectively improve defense mechanisms, but because of their adverse toxic effects under certain conditions, preference is given to natural compounds. Consequently, the requirements for natural, alternative sources of antioxidant foods identified in edible mushrooms, as well as the mechanistic action involved in their antioxidant properties, have increased rapidly. Chemical composition and antioxidant potential of mushrooms have been intensively studied. Edible mushrooms might be used directly in enhancement of antioxidant defenses through dietary supplementation to reduce the level of oxidative stress. Wild or cultivated, they have been related to significant antioxidant properties due to their bioactive compounds, such as polyphenols, polysaccharides, vitamins, carotenoids and minerals. Antioxidant and health benefits, observed in edible mushrooms, seem an additional reason for their traditional use as a popular delicacy food. This review discusses the consumption of edible mushrooms as a powerful instrument in maintaining health, longevity and life quality.

Modification of additive effect between vitamins and ETS on childhood asthma risk according to GSTP1 polymorphism : a cross -sectional study

BackgroundAsthma is characterized by airway inflammation, and bronchial airways are particularly susceptible to oxidant-induced tissue damage.ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of dietary antioxidant intake and environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) on the risk of childhood asthma according to genotypes susceptible to airway diseases.MethodsThis cross-sectional study included 1124 elementary school children aged 7–12 years old. Asthma symptoms and smoking history were measured using the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) questionnaire. Intake of vitamin A (including retinol and β-carotene), C, and E was measured by a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). GSTP1 polymorphisms were genotyped from peripheral blood samples.ResultsETS was significantly associated with presence of asthma symptoms (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 2.48; 95 % confidence interval [CI], 1.29–4.76) and diagnosis (aOR, 1.91; 95 % CI, 1.19–3.06). Dietary antioxidant intake was not associated with asthma symptoms, although ETS plus low vitamin A intake showed a significant positive association with asthma diagnosis (aOR, 2.23; 95 % CI, 1.10–4.54). Children with AA at nucleotide 1695 in GSTP1 who had been exposed to ETS and a low vitamin A intake have an increased risk of asthma diagnosis (aOR, 4.44; 95 % CI,1.58–12.52) compared with children who had not been exposed to the two risk factors. However, ETS exposure and low vitamin A intake did not significantly increase odds of asthma diagnosis in children with AG or GG genotypes.ConclusionLow vitamin A intake and ETS exposure may increase oxidative stress and thereby risk for childhood asthma. These relationships may be modified by gene susceptibility alleles of GSTP1.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12890-015-0093-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Behavioural antioxidant strategies to cope with high temperatures: a study in a tropical butterfly

Exposure to high temperatures can disrupt the balance between the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and antioxidant defences. Animals may be able to correct such an imbalance physiologically by up-regulating endogenous antioxidant defences. They may also respond behaviourally by increasing the intake of dietary antioxidants (e.g. polyphenols) and/or by reducing physical activity (thereby decreasing ROS production). The use of a given antioxidant strategy is expected to depend on its associated cost/benefit ratio relative to that of other strategies. We found that captive Bicyclus anynana butterflies almost doubled polyphenol intake under hot conditions and reduced flight activity, while temperature did not affect endogenous antioxidant defences (as measured by superoxide dismutase activity) and did not increase oxidative damage. These results suggest that butterflies primarily respond to hot conditions by adjusting their behaviour, thereby avoiding an imbalance between ROS production and antioxidant defences (i.e. oxidative stress). Interestingly, butterflies increased polyphenol intake in the morning when they also consumed energy resources (sugar). Increasing polyphenol intake on hot mornings subsequently led to decreased sugar intake in the middle of the day, which may have contributed to reducing flight activity at that time. Overall, this suggests that B. anynana butterflies prioritized polyphenol intake over energy intake (and its associated benefits) under hot conditions. This prioritization might be risky under natural conditions where energy intake is more critical than in captivity. Therefore, further studies should examine whether animals also prioritize the behavioural adjustments that we observed here under conditions where the benefits associated with high energy intake are increased.

The nutrigenetic influence of the interaction between dietary vitamin E and TXN and COMT gene polymorphisms on waist circumference: a case control study.

BackgroundAbdominal obesity (AO) is a common modifiable risk factor for certain non-communicable diseases associated with enhanced oxidative stress (OS). The objective of this work was to investigate whether the interaction between antioxidant vitamin intake and OS-related polymorphisms modulates gene-associated anthropometry in a Spanish population.MethodsA total of 246 subjects with AO, and 492 age and gender matched non-AO subjects were included in the study. Anthropometric, biochemical, and OS parameters, and antioxidant dietary intake data were assessed using validated procedures. DNA from white blood cells was isolated and the genotype of seven polymorphisms from genes involved in OS (pro-oxidant and antioxidant) were analyzed using the SNPlex system. The effects of the c.-793T > C polymorphism on promoter activity and thus thioredoxin (TXN) activity were examined using reporter assays.ResultsThe AO group had higher 8-Oxo-2′-deoxyguanosine levels and took in less vitamin A and vitamin E compared to the non-AO group. Logistic regression analysis revealed that the rs2301241 polymorphism in TXN and rs740603 in catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) were associated with waist circumference (WC) and AO. Moreover, these polymorphisms were more strongly associated with variations in WC in subjects with low vitamin E intakes. A promoter assay revealed that the T to C conversion at c.-793 (rs2301241) induced a more than two fold increase in reporter gene expression.ConclusionsWC is associated both with dietary vitamin E intake and genetic variants of TXN and COMT suggesting that existence of a complex nutrigenetic pathway that involves regulation of AO.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12967-015-0652-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

SUN-PP279: Determination of the Relationship between Dietary Intake of Antioxidants and Total Antioxidant Capacity in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

SUN-PP279: Determination of the Relationship between Dietary Intake of Antioxidants and Total Antioxidant Capacity in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Associations between Dietary Antioxidant Intake and Metabolic Syndrome.

BackgroundThe objective of this study was to evaluate the association between dietary antioxidant intake (carotenoid, vitamin C, E and selenium) intake and metabolic syndrome (MS).MethodThis cross-sectional study included 2069 subjects undergoing a regular health checkup. Biochemical test results and data on dietary intakes were collected for analysis. Adjustment for energy intake and multi-variable logistic regression were performed to determine adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) for the relationship between dietary antioxidants intake and MS. The lowest quartile of antioxidant intake was regarded as the reference category.ResultDietary vitamin C intake (P values for trend were 0.02 in energy adjusted analysis and 0.08 in multivariable adjusted analysis) had a negative association with MS, as did selenium intake in the second quartile (energy adjusted OR: 0.60, 95%CI: 0.43 to 0.85; multivariable adjusted OR: 0.60, 95%CI: 0.43 to 0.86). However, there was no significant relationship between dietary carotenoid and vitamin E intake and MS.ConclusionSubjects with low intake of vitamin C might be predisposed to development of MS, while dietary selenium intake had a moderate negative association with MS. Dietary carotenoid and vitamin E intake was not associated with MS.

OC-038 The age-dependent relationship of dietary antioxidant intake and the risk of barrett’s oesophagus and oesophageal adenocarcinoma: a uk prospective cohort study using micronutrient data from food diaries and serum biomarkers

Introduction The development of both Barrett’s oesophagus (BO) and oesophageal adenocarcinoma (OAC) may involve oxidative stress. We investigated whether the antioxidants vitamins C and E, selenium, zinc and carotene were associated with a decreased risk of BO and OAC, in the same population, using nutritional information from 7-day food diaries, the most accurate questionnaire-based methodology. Method A cohort of 23,658 initially well individuals, aged 40–74 years, enrolled in the European Prospective Investigation of Cancer-Norfolk Study completed 7-day food diaries. Serum vitamin C levels were measured. They were monitored till December 2008 to identify those diagnosed with BO and OAC, confirmed through reviewing medical records. Hazard ratios (HRs) for these two conditions were estimated for each quintile of intake, corrected for age, gender, BMI and smoking. The analyses were repeated in participants younger and older than 65 years at recruitment, the mid-point of the peak prevalence of BO. Results 92 participants who developed BO and 61 OAC were compared with 3712 randomly selected controls. In the whole cohort, and in those aged above 65 years at recruitment, there were no associations between any antioxidant and the risk of developing BO or OAC. However, in participants aged less than 65 years at recruitment, for BO statistically non-significant inverse associations were observed between all quintiles of food-diary assessed vitamin C intake (highest vs lowest quintile HR = 0.49, 95% CI = 0.20–1.22), with a significant inverse trend across quintiles for serum vitamin C and BO risk (Trend HR = 0.76; CI = 0.59–0.97; P = 0.03). For the development of OAC in participants recruited when less than 65 years, there were significant inverse trends across quintiles for both dietary vitamin C intake (Trend HR = 0.65; CI = 0.44–0.96; P = 0.03) and serum vitamin C (Trend HR = 0.54; CI = 0.33–0.89; P = 0.02). In this group there was a borderline significant inverse trend between vitamin E intake and OAC (Trend HR = 0.70; CI = 0.48–1.01; P = 0.06), but no associations with zinc, selenium or carotenes. Conclusion Vitamin C deficiency may be involved in the aetiology of BO and possibly OAC, and may influence carcinogenesis below 65 years of age. Vitamin E may prevent the malignant progression of BO to OAC, again in younger individuals. Vitamins C and E levels should be measured in future aetiological studies for these conditions and randomised controlled trials of their use to prevent the malignant progression of BO may be justified. Disclosure of interest None Declared.

Investigating the effects of arctic dietary intake on lung health

Preservation of lung health requires understanding the modifiable risk factors of airflow limitation. This study investigates the association between diet and lung function in a population of Greenland Inuit residing in the Arctic (Greenland) or Western Europe (Denmark). Two unselected Inuit populations were recruited, one living in Greenland (Urban (Nuuk) n=358; Rural (Uummannaq) n=207) and the other in Denmark (n=539). Lung function was measured using spirometry and diet by a food frequency questionnaire. Factors associated with airflow limitation were assessed using multiple linear regression models. The dietary composition differed significantly in the two regions, with higher whale, seal and wild meat intake and lower fruit and vegetable intake in the Arctic regions compared with Denmark. Consumption of vegetables (P=0.004) and whale and/or seal (P<0.0001) was significantly and positively associated with FEV1, as well as with FVC (vegetables: P=0.001, whale and/or seal: P=0.002). Regular fruit intake was included in the statistical models; however, it did not reach statistical significance (FEV1: P=0.053; FVC: P=0.055). High dietary intake of vegetables as well as intake of arctic marine mammals had independent positive associations with lung function in this cohort of Greenlandic Inuit. These findings suggest an additive role of dietary intake of antioxidants and unsaturated fatty acids in lung health, which warrants prospective evaluation.

Macromolecular antioxidants or non-extractable polyphenols in fruit and vegetables: Intake in four European countries

Macromolecular antioxidants or non-extractable polyphenols are an emerging and ignored fraction of dietary antioxidants that present differential structural and physiological features as compared with the well-known extractable polyphenols. In this study, the macromolecular antioxidant content and profile were determined by the first time for the 24 most consumed fruit and vegetables in four European countries (France, Germany, The Netherlands and Spain). Results showed that macromolecular antioxidants, made up of hydolysable polyphenols and polymeric proanthocyanidins, are major contributors (mean value 57%) to the total polyphenol content of fruit and vegetables. Macromolecular antioxidant intake from fruit and vegetable determined in the four countries selected was about 200mg. Spain had the highest daily per capita macromolecular antioxidant intake from fruit, while The Netherlands had the highest intake derived from vegetables. Future studies of plant food macromolecular antioxidant analysis and of dietary intakes in different populations are needed to elucidate the contribution of these macromolecular antioxidants to the health effects associated with fruit and vegetable consumption, and with dietary antioxidant intake.

Can selenium supplementation modify oxidative stress in-vitro? A role for selenium supplementation in the prevention of cardiovascular disease

Background Two thirds of the UK population are either overweight or obese (body mass index (BMI) 25-29.9 and >30 kg/m respectively) and are typically characterised by systemic oxidative stress (OS); deemed to play a key role in cardiovascular disease (CVD) development. OS results from chronically high reactive oxidative species (ROS) formation and reduced antioxidant status. OS plays a key role in CVD development by initiating atherosclerosis (fatty plaque accumulation within the arterial walls); therefore obese individuals are at increased risk of atherosclerosis development. Increased monocyte ROS generation instigates atherosclerotic plaque formation by increasing the recruitment, binding and transmigration of monocytes across arterial endothelial cells and into the arterial wall. An increased dietary antioxidant intake or up-regulation of endogenous antioxidant enzymes may counteract this OS state and therefore lower CVD risk. Selenium is an essential dietary micronutrient incorporated within the catalytic site of endogenous antioxidant Glutathione Peroxidase (GPx) enzymes, which protect cells from OS and consequent cell damage. There is, however, a lack of knowledge concerning the effect of selenium supplementation in an OS state representative of sedentary overweight/obese individuals. The aim of this work was to investigate the ability of selenium supplementation to modify monocyte cell viability/ROS production under OS. Materials and methods U937 monocyte cells were supplemented with sodium selenite (Na2SeO3; 100nM or 200nM) or not and cultured for 48 hours at 37°C. Paraquat (100mM) and S-Nitroso-Nacetyl-DL-penicillamine (10mM) (PQ/SNAP) were added to the cells to induce OS. Cell viability was assessed via MTS (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium) assay while ROS production was determined by Flow Cytometry using the reagent CM-H2DC-FDA.

Ventilatory function in young adults and dietary antioxidant intake.

Dietary antioxidants may protect against poor ventilatory function. We assessed the relation between ventilatory function and antioxidant components of diet in young Chileans. Forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), and the ratio FEV1/FVC were measured in 1232 adults aged 22–28 years, using a Vitalograph device. Dietary intake was ascertained with a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) designed for this study, from which nutrient and flavonoid intakes were estimated. Dietary patterns were derived with Principal Component Analysis (PCA). After controlling for potential confounders, dietary intake of total catechins was positively associated with FVC (Regression coefficient (RC) of highest vs. lowest quintile of intake 0.07; 95% CI 0.01 to 0.15; p per trend 0.006). Total fruit intake was related to FVC (RC of highest vs. lowest quintile 0.08; 95% CI 0.003 to 0.15; p per trend 0.02). Intake of omega 3 fatty acids was associated with a higher FEV1 (RC for highest vs. lowest quintile 0.08; 95% CI 0.01 to 0.15 L; p per trend 0.02) and with FVC 0.08 (RC in highest vs. lowest quintile of intake 0.08, 95% CI 0.001 to 0.16; p per trend 0.04). Our results show that fresh fruits, flavonoids, and omega 3 fatty acids may contribute to maintain ventilatory function.