Plasma antioxidant capacity of HIV-seropositive and healthy subjects during long-term ingestion of fruit juices or a fruit-vegetable-concentrate containing antioxidant polyphenols

Nutritional supplementation with the mushroom Agaricus sylvaticus reduces oxidative stress in children with HIV

BACKGROUND

The involvement of free radicals and oxidative stress in HIV infection has been extensively studied, and the benefits of antioxidant supplementation in animal studies have been demonstrated. However, few studies have demonstrated a benefit in clinical studies.

OBJECTIVE

To verify the effects of dietary supplementation with Agaricus sylvaticus, a mushroom rich in antioxidants, on the oxidative profile of children born with HIV undergoing antiretroviral therapy.

DESIGN

The sample included 24 children (both boys and girls) between two and eight years of age, of whom 10 were HIV positive and received supplementation with Agaricus sylvaticus for a three-month period, and 14 were HIV negative and received no supplementation. At the beginning and conclusion of the study, thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS), nitrite and nitrate (NN), Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity, and the antioxidant capacity of inhibition of diphenyl-picrilhidrazil (DPPH) free radicals were analyzed.

RESULTS

Before supplementation, significantly higher values of TBARS and NN, but decreased values of DPPH, were observed in infected subjects when compared with HIV-negative subjects. After supplementation, a reduction of TBARS and NN values and an increase in DPPH and Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity values were observed in HIV-positive subjects.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of the present study suggest the involvement of oxidative stress in HIV infection, with the participation of NN synthesis. Additionally, supplementation reversed oxidative alterations and improved antioxidant defense in infected individuals, and may become a complementary strategy in the treatment of these patients.

Extracellular micronutrient levels and pro-/antioxidant status in trauma patients with wound healing disorders: results of a cross-sectional study

Background

Disorders in wound healing (DWH) are common in trauma patients, the reasons being not completely understood. Inadequate nutritional status may favor DWH, partly by means of oxidative stress. Reliable data, however, are lacking. This study should investigate the status of extracellular micronutrients in patients with DWH within routine setting.

Methods

Within a cross-sectional study, the plasma/serum status of several micronutrients (retinol, ascorbic acid, 25-hydroxycholecalciferol, α-tocopherol, β-carotene, selenium, and zinc) were determined in 44 trauma patients with DWH in addition to selected proteins (albumin, prealbumin, and C-reactive protein; CRP) and markers of pro-/antioxidant balance (antioxidant capacity, peroxides, and malondialdehyde). Values were compared to reference values to calculate the prevalence for biochemical deficiency. Correlations between CRP, albumin and prealbumin, and selected micronutrients were analyzed by Pearson’s test. Statistical significance was set at P < 0.05.

Results

Mean concentrations of ascorbic acid (23.1 ± 15.9 μmol/L), 25-hydroxycholecalciferol (46.2±30.6 nmol/L), β-carotene (0.6 ± 0.4 μmol/L), selenium (0.79±0.19 μmol/L), and prealbumin (24.8 ± 8.2 mg/dL) were relatively low. Most patients showed levels of ascorbic acid (<28 μmol/L; 64%), 25-hydroxycholecalciferol (<50 μmol/L; 59%), selenium (≤ 94 μmol/L; 71%) and β-carotene (<0.9 μmol/L; 86%) below the reference range. Albumin and prealbumin were in the lower normal range and CRP was mostly above the reference range. Plasma antioxidant capacity was decreased, whereas peroxides and malondialdehyde were increased compared to normal values. Inverse correlations were found between CRP and albumin (P < 0.05) and between CRP and prealbumin (P < 0.01). Retinol (P < 0.001), ascorbic acid (P < 0.01), zinc (P < 0.001), and selenium (P < 0.001) were negatively correlated with CRP.

Conclusions

Trauma patients with DWH frequently suffer from protein malnutrition and reduced plasma concentrations of several micronutrients probably due to inflammation, increased requirement, and oxidative burden. Thus, adequate nutritional measures are strongly recommended to trauma patients.

Effect of plant foods and beverages on plasma non-enzymatic antioxidant capacity in human subjects: a meta-analysis

Non-enzymatic antioxidant capacity (NEAC) represents a sensitive biomarker measuring the in vivo antioxidant potential of vegetable foods. To evaluate the effectiveness of plant-derived foods and beverages on the plasma non-enzymatic antioxidant system, we analysed all literature published upto May 2010. Data were extracted by two authors independently, and the effect size was summarised using standardised mean differences by a random-effects model. For the analysis, eighty-eight studies were included, reporting a total number of 122 interventions and involving 2890 subjects. There was overall evidence of the effectiveness of fruit, vegetables, dietary patterns based on plant foods, red wine and tea in increasing plasma NEAC. No changes were found for chocolate and fruit juices. We observed an overall effect size three times higher in subjects with risk factors when compared with healthy subjects. Total radical-trapping antioxidant parameter, oxygen radical absorbance capacity and ferric-reducing antioxidant power methods showed a similar increase in plasma NEAC following dietary supplementation, whereas Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity did not respond to dietary supplementation. Data from the present meta-analysis show that plant-derived foods represent an effective strategy to enhance an endogenous antioxidant network in humans. This is particularly evident in the presence of oxidative stress-related risk factors.

Time to wound closure in trauma patients with disorders in wound healing is shortened by supplements containing antioxidant micronutrients and glutamine: a PRCT

BACKGROUND & AIMS

: We hypothesize that wound closure in trauma patients with disorders in wound healing is accelerated by supplementation of antioxidant micronutrients and glutamine.

METHODS

In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 20 trauma patients with disorders in wound healing were orally supplemented with antioxidant micronutrients (ascorbic acid, α-tocopherol, β-carotene, zinc, selenium) and glutamine (verum) or they received isoenergetic amounts of maltodextrine (placebo) for 14 days. Plasma/serum levels of micronutrients, glutamine, and vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A) were determined before and after supplementation. In the wound, several parameters of microcirculation were measured. Time from study entry to wound closure was recorded.

RESULTS

Micronutrients in plasma/serum did not change except for selenium which increased in the verum group (1.1 ± 0.2 vs. 1.4 ± 0.2 μmol/l; P = 0.009). Glutamine decreased only in the placebo group (562 ± 68 vs. 526 ± 55 μmol/l; P = 0.047). The prevalence of hypovitaminoses and the concentration of VEGF-A did not change. Considering microcirculation, only O(2)-saturation decreased in the placebo group (56.7 ± 23.4 vs. 44.0 ± 24.0 [arbitrary units]; P = 0.043). Wound closure occurred more rapidly in the verum than in the placebo group (35 ± 22 vs. 70 ± 35 d; P = 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Time to wound closure can be shortened by oral antioxidant and glutamine containing supplements in trauma patients with disorders in wound healing.

Determination of total antioxidant status (TAS) as a biochemical parameter in control of workers' health

Despite its importance for human health, the capacity of the antioxidative defense system (AOS) is still not included among regular biochemical analyses. In this study, we estimated the blood plasma level of the total antioxidant status (TAS) as an appropriate parameter for AOS monitoring with the aim of including it among other biochemical parameters in the regular control of health of the working population. We have applied a method developed by Randox Laboratories (England) that can be routinely performed on automatic chemical analyzers. The TAS level, in correlation with corresponding biochemical parameters, could contribute to better evaluation of the health of individuals and the working population.

Effects of a dietary application of a yeast cell wall extract on innate and acquired immunity, on oxidative status and growth performance in weanling piglets and on the ileal epithelium in fattened pigs

Potential immunomodulatory effects of a cell wall extract from Saccharomyces cerevisiae (Y; Antaferm MG) were tested in pigs: in trial I, 0.03% Y and in trial II 0.3% Y was used. Based on earlier observations that Y may increase feed intake, two treatment groups, Y-a (fed ad libitum) and Y-r (fed restrictively) were studied in comparison with a control group (C) in both trials. Y-r received the amount of feed consumed by C. Immune status was surveyed by determining phagocytic activity and oxidative burst of neutrophils and blood concentrations of haptoglobin (Hp), and immunoglobulin (Ig) G and A. Oxidative stress was monitored by recording reactive oxygen metabolites (ROM) and total antioxidant capacity. In a third trial, fattened pigs were used for morphological and immunohistochemical studies (IgM and IgA as well as CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells) in ileal epithelium. Pigs fed 0.03% Y for 2 weeks prior to slaughter were compared with the C group. Feed intake was identical in the Y-a and Y-b groups and data subsets were accordingly pooled. Treatment and time as well as treatment x time interactions were detectable for most of the parameters studied, but a distinct immunomodulatory effect of Y was not consistently identifiable and performance did not improve. In trial III, the intestinal parameters investigated were not different between Y and C.

The acute phase protein haptoglobin and its relation to oxidative status in piglets undergoing weaning-induced stress

Haptoglobin (Hp) prevents the hemoglobin driven generation of hydroxyl radicals and lipid peroxides. Hp can reduce the neutrophil respiratory burst and is an antioxidative molecule in its own right. We aimed to evaluate Hp concentrations, oxidative stress and antioxidative capacity in blood during weaning and to characterise potential relationships between these parameters. Two batches of 10 piglets each (2 trials) weaned at the age of 27-30 days were fed a starter feed mix ad libitum. Blood samples were taken 1 week before weaning and at weekly intervals thereafter. Oxidative stress was monitored via the D-ROM system, antioxidative capacity was measured with the TEAC assay and Hp concentrations were measured by ELISA. Neutrophil phagocytic activity and oxidative burst were examined via flow-cytometry. Body weights were recorded weekly. Hp concentrations were increased in both trials post-weaning (P < 0.01); oxidative stress and oxidative burst were elevated in trial I (P < 0.005). In trial I, Hp and ROM values returned to baseline levels at 6 weeks post-weaning. The piglets in trial II showed respiratory symptoms and maintained elevated Hp concentrations. ROM values and Hp were related (r = 0.58; P < 0.01). Hp and body weight gain were inversely related post-weaning.

Single and repeated moderate consumption of native or dealcoholized red wine show different effects on antioxidant parameters in blood and DNA strand breaks in peripheral leukocytes in healthy volunteers: a randomized controlled trial (ISRCTN68505294)

BACKGROUND

Red wine (RW) is rich in antioxidant polyphenols that might protect from oxidative stress related diseases, such as cardiovascular disease and cancer. Antioxidant effects after single ingestion of RW or dealcoholized RW (DRW) have been observed in several studies, but results after regular consumption are contradictory. Thus, we examined if single or repeated consumption of moderate amounts of RW or DRW exert antioxidant activity in vivo.

METHODS

Total phenolic content and concentration of other antioxidants in plasma/serum, total antioxidant capacity (TEAC) in plasma as well as DNA strand breaks in peripheral leukocytes were measured in healthy non-smokers A) before, 90 and 360 min after ingestion of one glass of RW, DRW or water; B) before and after consumption of one glass of RW or DRW daily for 6 weeks. DNA strand breaks (SB) were determined by single cell gel electrophoresis (Comet Assay) in untreated cells and after induction of oxidative stress ex vivo with H2O2 (300 microM, 20 min).

RESULTS

Both RW and DRW transiently increased total phenolic content in plasma after single consumption, but only RW lead to a sustained increase if consumed regularly. Plasma antioxidant capacity was not affected by single or regular consumption of RW or DRW. Effects of RW and DRW on DNA SB were conflicting. DNA strand breaks in untreated cells increased after a single dose of RW and DRW, whereas H2O2 induced SB were reduced after DRW. In contrast, regular RW consumption reduced SB in untreated cells but did not affect H2O2 induced SB.

CONCLUSION

The results suggest that consumption of both RW and DRW leads to an accumulation of phenolic compounds in plasma without increasing plasma antioxidant capacity. Red wine and DRW seem to affect the occurrence of DNA strand breaks, but this cannot be referred to antioxidant effects.

Lymphocyte proliferation and apoptosis in HIV-seropositive and healthy subjects during long-term ingestion of fruit juices or a fruit-vegetable-concentrate rich in polyphenols and antioxidant vitamins

OBJECTIVE

We investigated whether ingestion of polyphenols from fruit juices or a fruit-vegetable-concentrate affects lymphocyte proliferation and apoptosis in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-seropositive (HIV(+)) and HIV-seronegative (HIV(-)) subjects.

DESIGN

Randomized, prospective pilot intervention study.

SETTING

University of Bonn, Department of General Internal Medicine.

SUBJECTS

A total of 23 HIV(+) subjects from the HIV outpatient clinic, 18 HIV(-) controls.

INTERVENTIONS

Subjects ingested either 1 l of fruit juice or 30 ml of fruit-vegetable-concentrate daily for 16 weeks in addition to their regular diet. Lymphocyte proliferation and apoptosis were investigated in peripheral blood mononuclear cells at baseline, during 16-weeks of intervention, and after a 6-week washout. Proliferation was assessed by (3)H-thymidine incorporation and apoptosis by nuclear content as measured by flow cytometry.

RESULTS

Supplementation of fruit juices increased phytohemagglutinin-induced lymphocyte proliferation (mitotic index) in HIV(+) patients from 18+/-16 to 40+/-34 (P=0.004) and in healthy controls from 27+/-16 to 51+/-21 (P=0.016). Apoptosis was not affected in HIV(+) patients, but rose in healthy controls from 9+/-10 to 34+/-11 (apoptotic index; P=0.001). Intervention with concentrate did not significantly alter proliferation and apoptosis in HIV(+) and HIV(-) subjects.

CONCLUSIONS

Even though apoptosis did not change in HIV(+) subjects, ingestion of polyphenol-rich fruit juices might be favorable to HIV(+) patients due to enhanced proliferation, which could restore disturbances in T-cell homeostasis. In healthy controls, increased lymphocyte proliferation during juice consumption was counterbalanced by increased apoptosis.